annual report on implementation of the multi-annual action ......june 2018 5. 6 7 annual report on...

Annual Report onImplementation of theMulti-Annual Action Planfor a Regional Economic Areain Western Balkan Six

Co-funded by the European Union

Good.Better.Regional.

Title: Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area

in Western Balkan Six

Publisher: Regional Cooperation Council

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V, 71000 Sarajevo

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Tel. +387 33 561 700, Fax. +387 33 561 701

E-mail: [email protected]

website: www.rcc.int

Authors: Regional Cooperation Council, CEFTA

Editor: Pranvera Kastrati

Consulting editors: Gazmend Turdiu, Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, Emir Djikic

Design Sejla Dizdarevic

© RCC2018 All rights reserved.

Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-

Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in

Western Balkan Six

June 2018

5

6 7

Annual Report on Implementation of the Multi-Annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in Western Balkan Six

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................... 7

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 8

OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................11

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORT .............................................................11

1.2 COORDINATION, MONITORING AND REPORTING ..............................................................11

1.3 TRADE ................................................................................................................13

Overall state of play/progress ...............................................................................13

Policy 1.1. Facilitation of trade in goods ..................................................................14

Policy 1.2. Harmonisation of CEFTA Markets with the EU .............................................15

Policy 1.3. Creating NTMs and TDMfree Region .........................................................15

Policy 1.4 Facilitation of free trade in services .........................................................15

1.4 INVESTMENT ........................................................................................................16


State of implementation at objective level ..............................................................19

Obstacles and challenges .....................................................................................22

Recommendations and next steps ..........................................................................23

1.5 MOBILITY ............................................................................................................24





1.6 DIGITAL INTEGRATION .............................................................................................34





Conclusions and recommendations ........................................................................43

ANNEX .............................................................................................................................46

ANNEX 3 – REGIONAL REPORTING TABLE ...........................................................................46

BEREC Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications

CCP Component Contact Points

CEPT European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations

CSIRT Computer Security Incident Response Team

DSO Digital Switch Over

EA Economies Authorities

EC European Commission

ECO European Communications Office

ENISA European Union Agency for Network and Information Security

GÉANT pan-European data network for the research and education community

MAP REA Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area

MFN Most Favoured Nation

NC MAP Coordinator at economy level

RCC Regional Cooperation Council

REA Regional Economic Area

RLAH Roam Like at Home

RRA Regional Roaming Agreement

RSPG Radio Spectrum Policy Group

SEDDIF South European Digital Dividend Implementation Forum

SEED Systematic Electronic Exchange of Data

WB6 Western Balkans Six

WRC World Radio Conference

ABBREVIATIONS

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The Multi-annual Action Plan (MAP) for a Regional Economic Area (REA) in the Western Balkans Six (WB6), endorsed at the Trieste Summit of 12 July 2017, puts forward a strategic joint agenda for the Western Balkan economies to further regional economic cooperation with a view to unleash the potentials for growth, create conditions for better, transparent and predictable investment climate and improve the overall economic competitiveness of the WB6 economies. The actions introduced in the MAP REA are expected to be implemented until 2020, with some extensions until 2023, focusing on four key components: Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration.

A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans, launched on 6 February 2018, demonstrates the embedding of MAP REA within the core EU accession process. The strategy and its flagships on socio-economic development and digital agenda are directly related to MAP REA. Moreover, actions put forward in the Action Plan under “Supporting socio-economic development” and “A Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans” define clear actions to be implemented by 2019 - with some by 2020 – which are fully aligned with the MAP REA objective and actions.

The Declaration made at the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia on 17 May 2018 calls for urgent action to implement the Multi-annual Action Plan for the Development of a Regional Economic Area and announces the continued EU support in the efforts invested by Western Balkans. Moreover, the Statement of support for the digital agenda for the Western Balkans endorsed at the occasion of the EU-WB6 Summit highlights the importance of a market- and investment-friendly environment in the Western Balkans to move faster towards a digital economy, and as part of Sofia Priority Agenda announces the launch of a Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans, including a roadmap to facilitate lowering the cost of roaming; and to launch a substantial technical assistance package for the identification of potential digital investments (including broadband) through Western Balkans Investment Framework/Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance.

The MAP REA actions are aligned with strategic documents in particular with the Economic Reform

Programmes, as the key mid-term economic policy coordination documents. The cross-reference analysis between MAP REA and the ERPs 2018-2020 reveals a good fit between the two strategic frameworks and high prioritisation of MAP REA measures within the ERPs.

The overall coordination for the MAP REA implementation in each WB6 economy is the responsibility of the MAP Coordinator (MAP NC). Moreover, each economy has designated the MAP Component Contact Points (CCPs) for each of the four MAP REA components to steer the work of various working mechanisms within Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components of the MAP REA. Coordination, reporting and monitoring in each participating economy is ensured through the MAP NCs while at regional level the coordination role for the Trade component is performed by CEFTA Secretariat and for the Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components coordination is performed by the RCC Secretariat. Regular reporting to the MAP NCs meeting and PM Sherpas’ meeting, European Commission and other international organisations is in place. In addition, business-to-government (B2G) discussions were held back-to-back with the MAP NCs meetings, organised in cooperation with WB CIF, to ensure greater synergies amongst different actors.

The MAP REA Stock Taking and Needs Assessment report has been finalised. The process of needs assessment was carried out through self-identification of needs, complemented further by desk research and validated through the consultations held in all WB6 capitals. The gaps identified through the process are translated into practical lists of needs across the four areas, categorised as technical assistance/capacity building, analytical support, prospective multi-annual regional project interventions and capital investment support. RCC has supported the regional donor coordination in areas of relevance for MAP REA -the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination was held in Brussels on 13 March 2018, having great focus on MAP REA implementation and regional MAP REA-related needs.

The Guidelines on Governance, Coordination and Reporting for the MAP REA and the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting have been

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY endorsed by the MAP NCs. This report is prepared in compliance with the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting, offering a snapshot of MAP REA implementation. Other horizontal activities to increase visibility and information sharing on MAP REA have been also undertaken.

In the investment policy area, progress is recorded in particular in establishing a harmonised level playing field for investment. The MAP REA measures are focused on the removal of barriers to investments, in the areas of investment entry and establishment, investment protection and retention, and investment attraction and promotion, which will enable the WB6 economies to reap the benefits of economies of scale, and enable geographically diversified businesses, more efficient allocation of resources within a regional market, ultimately providing significant new opportunities for the private sector. To this end, the Regional Investment Reform Agenda (RIRA) has been adopted and the next step ahead will be to translate it into national action plans. The South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) will continue to be the main platform for supporting RIRA, although economies still need to establish focus groups at the level of individual economies to discuss and steer proposed policy reforms.

Furthermore, Western Balkan economies will work on the joint promotion of the region as a unique investment destination. In this endeavour, the region will identify the sectors of economy with common grounds for joint promotion, namely the sectors where the participating economies will identify added value opportunities for development of regional value chains. Identification of priority sectors for investment promotion will be aligned with the MAP REA pillar on smart specialisation.

Lastly, there is a strong need for closer coordination at domestic level amongst relevant stakeholders for successful implementation of MAP REA, namely amongst the MAP National Coordinators, MAP Component Contact Points and line ministries and relevant institutions. To secure quality and sustainability of the regional dialogue, regional platforms for implementation of MAP REA must include adequate representation with pertinent decision-making mandate from the relevant institutions.

In an increasingly global economy, the extent to which international high-skilled mobility channels are formed within the region and between the region and the EU is a question of great importance. Better integration of high-skilled

professionals and academics into professional and research networks, the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area will yield significant benefits for the migratory region of Western Balkans.

All of the WB6 economies have stepped up efforts and demonstrated good progress in removing obstacles to mobility of researchers. All WB6 economies have prioritised mobility of researchers in their respective strategic frameworks. In response to the identified obstacles to mobility of researchers, which include financial barriers, majority of the economies have created grant schemes to support mobility of researchers at the level of individual economies. All WB6 participate in Horizon2020 with varied success rates, as well as the Marie Curie Sklodowska Actions where success rates of the WB6 researchers are particularly low. With regards to actions aimed at supporting research infrastructure and the development of centres of excellence in the region progress has been slower and variation between economies more prominent.

Despite initial delays, technical preparations for opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists and Architects have been completed and the joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications has agreed at its meeting on 7th of May 2018 to recommend the opening of the negotiations. Provided that all governments finalise their internal procedures and inform the RCC Secretary General thereof, the first meeting of the negotiating teams could take place during July 2018.

The planned actions on removing obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications are ahead of scheduled timeline; therefore, advanced progress in the region can be noted. During December 2017, the participants agreed to launch a joint exercise on recognition of academic qualifications to identify and analyse similarities/differences in recognition of foreign degrees and to suggest further joint action to reduce the differences based on which Joint Guides on Recognition of Academic Qualifications will be prepared. The deepened regional cooperation on recognition of academic qualifications was reinforced by additional domestic efforts to shorten, simplify and create “student-friendly” procedures for recognition of academic qualifications. The new legislative frameworks adopted across WB6 in the last year

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open multiple opportunities for MAP measures to contribute significantly to the modernisation of the higher education systems in the region.

Digital integration is characterised by a mixed level of preparedness amongst WB6 with Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia being at moderate level of preparedness regarding chapter 10 of the EU acquis, and Kosovo*1 and Bosnia and Herzegovina following behind. Digital transformation of WB6 holds great potential for enhancing growth in the region. The results of a regional analysis on the impact of digital transformation in WB6 shows that 10% increase in the digitisation index is associated with 0.63% GDP growth.

The WB6 are progressing in the transposition of the EU acquis in the area of electronic communications and information society although progress again varies amongst WB6 economies. Broadband mapping has well advanced during 2018, even though the measure is planned to be finalised in 2020. In spectrum policy harmonisation, WB6 economies are at an uneven level of preparation, with regulatory and institutional frameworks that provide for efficient overall spectrum management in place and uneven development in freeing up frequencies. Good progress is being made in harmonising regional roaming policies. Moreover, WB6 have committed to support and facilitate the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region. The Western Balkan Digital agenda launched during the Digital Assembly on 25 June 2016 will support the digital transformation of the WB6 and prepare the region to integrate better into the EU Digital Market. Moreover, the Declaration of the Sofia Summit, of 17 May 2018, announced €30 million in technical assistance for digital projects, including broadband, within WBIF. A joint ICT Regulatory Dialogue between WB6 with the European Commission was launched in June 2018 and is foreseen to take place annually.

WB6 are undertaking efforts to improve cybersecurity - in general, they have adopted relevant policies and legislation for privacy, data protection and digital security and prepared some strategies in the area of cybersecurity. They are at an initial stage of alignment with Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive and further efforts to participate in ENISA work and activity is needed. On this note, RCC has recently initiated communication with ENISA

1 * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

to explore the prospects of participation of WB economies in the work and activities of the agency. All WB6 economies have established CSIRTs but they are underdeveloped and need longer-term capacity building programmes. RCC networked the CSIRTs from the WB6 and provided initial capacity building to their representatives. A regional Conference of CSIRTs is planned to be held in October 2018.

The WB6 Digital Summit organised on 18-19 April 2018, in Skopje - the first ever in this format – reconfirmed the commitment of WB6 to work on a regional digital agenda for the benefit of its citizens and the region as a whole. The conclusions of the Digital Summit reaffirmed the commitment of WB6 to work on: digital skills, trust and security, digital connectivity and digital economy and society. All WB6 economies have established forms of central portals for open data and regular updates of data are carried out. However, no regional dialogue exists as of yet on regional exchange of data. In addition, WB6 economies have adopted e-authentication frameworks and made progress in improving their e-authentication schemes. E-signature legislation is adopted and e-government services are gradually being aligned with the National Interoperability Frameworks. Moreover, there is a commitment to establish a regional framework for recognition of certificates of electronic signature and facilitation of cross-border trusted services. There are several digital hubs and innovation parks across the WB6. Most have been developed with donor funding (including EU, the World Bank, GIZ, USAID and other bilateral donors), private sector funding, or both.

OVERVIEW1.1 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE REPORTMAP REA aims to promote further trade integration, introduce a dynamic regional investment space, facilitate regional mobility and create a digital integration agenda for WB6 economies. Actions introduced in MAP REA offer synergies with the reform agendas currently undertaken in all WB6 driven by the EU integration process, based on EU rules and principles and following the commitments deriving from the SEE 2020, CEFTA and Stabilisation and Association Agreements. Most of the actions are expected to be implemented until 2020, with some extending into 2023.

The Enlargement Strategy embeds MAP REA within the core EU accession process, having some of its flagships directly related to MAP REA. Moreover, during the Sofia Summit, the EU launched Sofia Priority Agenda for the EU and the Western Balkans, annexed to the Declaration, which emphasises actions in socio-economic development, business environment and digital agenda – most of which are already embarked on as part of MAP REA-related reform processes.

This report is organised in two parts. First part provides an overview of horizontal aspects related to the MAP coordination, monitoring and reporting and the second offers a detailed presentation of the implementation of MAP REA across the four components, both at objective and regional level, as well as conclusions and recommendations on key next steps. It aims to take stock of the developments within the four components of MAP REA, describe the state of play and capture the progress made in WB6 as a region. The report is prepared by RCC in cooperation with CEFTA Secretariat in accordance with the endorsed Methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting.

The reporting is based on the inputs and contributions provided by the WB6 following predefined reporting templates put forward within the Methodology. The report on MAP REA implementation will enable the WB6 leaders to review the progress, or the lack thereof, in each component. The insights from the monitoring will also help inform further formulation and fine-tuning of the actions, including possible

adjustments to the timelines, making them more realistic and achievable. This report is largely based on qualitative inputs received from the economies. The report also uses data from Balkan Barometer - a survey of public and business perceptions - where appropriate and of added value. The focus of next reports will be to improve user-friendliness, visualisation of progress and impact based on key output indicators – to be defined in close cooperation and consultation with MAP structures.

1.2 COORDINATION, MONITORING AND REPORTINGThe overall coordination for the MAP REA imple-mentation in each WB6 economy is the responsibil-ity of the MAP Coordinator (MAP NC). In addition, each economy has designated the MAP Component Contact Points (CCPs) for each of the four MAP REA components to steer the work of various working mechanisms within Trade, Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration components of the MAP REA. Coordination, reporting and monitoring in each participating economy is ensured at two principal levels - the first between the representatives in the regional mechanisms and the MAP CCPs, and the second amongst the Component Contact Points and the MAP Coordinator. At the regional level, the coordination role for the Trade component is performed by CEFTA Secretariat, while the Invest-ment, Mobility and Digital Integration components are coordinated by the RCC Secretariat.

Beyond the coordination role, the RCC and CEFTA Secretariats also provide assistance in policy for-mulation, support to internal coordination process-es and cross-sectoral consultations, and support in implementation of actions resulting in regional deliverables.

The coordination mechanisms for MAP REA are es-tablished in each WB6 economy, with the appoint-ments of National Coordinators and Component Contact Points finalised. In addition to the internal mechanism, designated persons for each compo-nent from CEFTA and RCC Secretariats and DG NEAR of the European Commission are appointed to facil-

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itate the coordination of work. Regular meetings of the MAP NCs (i.e. Brussels, on 31 October 2017 and 30 January 2018 in Trieste) and MAP CCPs (Brussels, 12 March 2018 and Tirana, 15 May 2018) are held to review the progress on the MAP REA measures and discuss future activities and deliverables. In addition, business-to-government (B2G) discussions were held back-to-back with the MAP NCs meet-ings, organised in cooperation with WB CIF, to en-sure greater synergies amongst different actors.

RCC has finalised the Stock Taking and Needs As-sessment report, in cooperation with the CEFTA Secretariat, undertaking a considerable coordina-tion effort, both at national and regional level, to complete the needs assessment process, mainly through self-identification of needs. The report identifies the major policy gaps and needs, includ-ing assistance through bilateral or regional pro-jects, and proposes a set of measures needed to overcome them with a view of effective and timely implementation of the MAP REA as a whole. The findings of the report have been validated through the consultations - meetings held in all WB6 capi-tals during November 2017 and January 2018 – and presented during the second meeting of MAP NCs. Moreover, the report was shared with all coordi-nation mechanisms across WB6 for comments and suggestions which were duly reflected in the final version. The gaps identified through the process are translated into practical lists of needs across the four areas, categorised as technical assistance/capacity building, analytical support, prospective multi-annual regional project interventions and capital investment support.

The Guidelines on Governance, Coordination and Reporting for the MAP REA and the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting have been endorsed by the MAP NCs. In accordance with the methodology on MAP REA monitoring and reporting, reports on implementation will be prepared twice a year: Annual Report - prepared mid-year to inform the WB6 Prime Ministers Summit; and Abridged Re-port - prepared at the end of each calendar year. Regular reports to the MAP NCs, the PM Sherpas2, European Commission and other international or-ganisations are prepared within the monitoring context.

RCC has supported the regional donor coordina-tion in areas of relevance for MAP REA. The Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination was held in Brus-sels on 13 March 2018 with particular focus on MAP

2 The last reporting for Sherpa was on 11 April 2018 and 20 June 2018.

REA implementation and regional MAP REA-related needs – the later systematised by RCC for the three components (i.e. Investment, Mobility and Digital Integration) and CEFTA Secretariat for Trade. Ad-ditionally, Economy Fishes with state of play and recommendations were compiled and shared with all the participants of the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination.

Other horizontal activities have been undertaken to increase visibility and information sharing on MAP REA. Namely, as part of the RCC Website – MAP REA sub-page3, an online calendar for MAP REA ac-tivities4 has been prepared to allow all actors and partners to get information on the events and ac-tivities. Leaflet and video to promote the MAP REA and share information with larger audience on the activities and results have also been prepared5.

3 http://www.rcc.int/priority_areas/39/map-rea4 http://www.rcc.int/events_calendar/635 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWBjcNJUWuw&feature=youtu.be

1.3 TRADE6 Overall state of play/progress The Sofia and London summits have put some of the priorities that had to be accomplished by the CEFTA Parties by July 2018. In this respect the majority of CEFTA Parties have ratified the Additional Protocol 5 that entered into force on the 18th of April 2018. The CEFTA Joint Committee acknowledged the importance of discussions amongst CEFTA Parties about the best possible instruments to strengthen the enforcement of CEFTA rules through more ef-fective dispute settlement mechanism. The CEFTA Parties agreed to launch negotiations on a trade dispute settlement mechanism, so far referred as the Additional Protocol on CEFTA Dispute Settle-ment7. The draft text has been prepared and is due to internal procedures for the appointments of the negotiating teams. The statistical Portal has been prepared and launched and Parties are populating the data on trade in goods, services, FATS and FDI. Besides the abovementioned achievements, the CEFTA Parties concluded the nego-tiations on the CEFTA Sec-retariat’s functions, budget and staffing8. This one is ex-pected to be enforced until the London Summit.

Besides the main outputs, several other activities have taken place in the context of the MAP, such as the desig-nation of the single date of entry into force of the CEFTA Decision on Duty Drawback (1st of July 2019), the monitoring actions for the smooth implementation of the Agreement like public procurement and com-petition assessment.

6 The input for the Trade Component of MAP is provided by the CEFTA Secretariat and is introduced in its integral form, including on referencing the region’s economies7 In different frameworks such as CEFTA Agreement and the REA Multi-annual Action Plan8 Pending completion of the internal procedure by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Parties, on the economy level, have started some of the reforms that would lead to the imple-mentation of the MAP priorities such as the estab-lishment of the National Trade Facilitation Commit-tees which were established in all of the Parties with the objective to enhance the public-private dialog.

The implementation of activities detailed in the MAP is within the realm of responsibility of the CEFTA Parties Authorities, with the support of the regional and international organisations active in the specific policy areas. The Trade Component of the MAP is coordinated by the CEFTA Secretariat for the regional perspective and by the CEFTA Contact Points. CEFTA bodies are involved in the work of all other MAP Components.

Related to the Trade Component, the progress made in the implementation of the MAP was the following as of May 2018 (see Figure below):

Figure 1: Trade – State of Preparedness of MAP Im-plementation in WB6 at the Level of Objectives9

9 Scores at the level of objectives are simple averages of activity-level scores. Scoring is performed on a scale that assesses the stage of preparedness in MAP implementation, and includes the following scores: 1 – early stage (no actions taken), 2 – some level of preparation (preliminary steps undertaken), 3 - moderately prepared (implementation started, structures and mandates in place), 4 – good level of preparation (implementation advanced with preliminary results evidenced), and 5 – well advanced (measure fully implemented). Further information on scoring available in the Methodology on monitoring and reporting on the Multi-annual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans (MAP).

REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION PER COMPONENT

0

01

2

3

4

5

1.1. Facilitation of trade in goods

1.2. Harmonisation of CEFTA Markets

with the EU

1.3. Creating NTMs and

TDM-free Region

1.4. Facilitation of trade

in services

3.2

4.0

2.8

2.0

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Policy 1.1. Facilitation of trade in goodsObjective I.1.1. Strengthening the monitoring and enforcement capacity of CEFTADuring the reporting period the CEFTA Parties have discussed the 3 proposed options for the establish-ment of the Dispute Settlement mechanism. The progress was achieved in dismissing the option No 3 and at the moment the 2 remaining options are under consideration. The negotiations have been launched by the Special Joint Committee con-clusion adopted in Pristina on 27 April 2018 that states: “WE acknowledge the importance of discus-sions amongst CEFTA Parties about the best possi-ble instruments to strengthen the enforcement of CEFTA rules through more effective dispute set-tlement mechanism. The CEFTA Parties agree to launch negotiations on a trade dispute settlement mechanism, so far referred as the Additional Pro-tocol on CEFTA Dispute Settlement10. Negotiations will also take into account further legal analysis and opinions provided by the CEFTA Secretariat. The exploratory talks were held under the auspices of the CEFTA Committee of Contact Points by the Sofia Summit until the official negotiation teams shall be appointed”. As the activity is completed the score is 5.

Objective I.1.2. Adoption of Additional Protocol 5 and start of its implementation

a) Regarding the adoption of validation rules for mutual recognitions, the concept notes have already been prepared. It is expected that the first draft of Implementing Provision of Mutual Recognition of AEO will be submitted to the relevant CEFTA bodies in June 2018. For the mutual recognition of border documents, the draft decision is expected to be submitted in the 4th quarter of 2018. The score is 3, which is moderately prepared.

b) During the reporting period the Additional Protocol 5 on Trade Facilitation entered into force for Macedonia, Moldova and Montenegro. Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina have also ratified the Additional Protocol 5 during the reporting period. The rest of CEFTA Parties are expected to finalise all the required parliamentary ratification

10 In different frameworks such as CEFTA Agreement and the REA Multi-annual Action Plan

in the first half of 2018. The score is 5 as the AP 5 entered into force for the three CEFTA Parties on 18 April 2018 and is expected to enter into force for all CEFTA Parties by the end of 2018 as planned.

c) Regarding the start of Implementation of Mutual Recognition Programmes, there will be regional piloting project to test the mutual recognition of AEO programmes according to the AP 5. The score is 2, as the piloting project will provide necessary feedback for the timely start of mutual recognition of AEO.

Objective I.1.3. Concluding Party level IT interconnections for data exchange between Agencies at the national level

a) The levels of the investments were provided to the Parties at the Rome meeting of the SEED Steering Committee in June 2017. In the further discussions it is possible that some amounts would be reduced due to the usage of TRACES. The score is 5, as this activity is completed.

b) Each CEFTA Party needs to confirm the amount which has been allocated from either their l budget or through international assistance. The CEFTA Secretariat cannot report this activity. Based on the reports of the Parties the score is 3 as most of the Parties have secured some of the funding for the hardware.

Objective I.1.4. Initiating exploratory talks on joint risk management, border controls and one-stop shop border controls

a) Once the AP 5 enters into force for all CEFTA Parties, the relevant action will start. The CEFTA Secretariat will run a questionnaire to analyse the level of preparedness of SPS Authorities for risk management. The tender for the questionnaire is awarded and the company should start with the activities during the next period. The score is 2.

b) Once the AP 5 enters into force for all CEFTA Parties, the relevant action will start. There are relevant CEFTA Structures which have been created with an appropriate mandate, the score is 2.

Objective I.1.5. Initiating exploratory talks on mutual cooperation between market surveillance control authorities of CEFTA Parties

a) The CEFTA Secretariat is in the initial phases of the discussions related to the market surveillance authorities and is working closely with the Quality Infrastructure Project which includes Market Surveillance Authorities. The score is 2.

b) The CEFTA Parties have selected two sectors that will be assessed by GIZ. Depending on the results of the GIZ Project one sector will be selected by the CEFTA Parties. The score is 3.

c) Development of the timeframe to conclude MRA is relied on the results of actions under b). The Score is 1.

d) Assessing potential to extend MRA in other supply chains with regional interest will be dependent on the previous actions b) and c). The score is 1.

Policy 1.2. Harmonisation of CEFTA Markets with the EUObjective I.2.1. Initiating the application of SAP+ and Full Cumulation

a) The derogation of PEM Convention is obtained. There are still a number of CEFTA Parties to conclude the relevant FTAs with EFTA or Turkey in order to complete SAP + cumulation. The score is 4.

b) The CEFTA Joint Committee of April 2018 recommended the application of full cumulation to start on 1 July 2019. The score is 4.

Objective I.2.2. Potential approximation of CEFTA MFN to EU CETCEFTA and World Bank will prepare a study on impact assessment of the potential approximation of CEFTA MFN rates to EU CET. The results will be presented at the annual ministerial meeting scheduled for November 2018. The score is 4 and further actions will arise from the results of the Study.

Policy 1.3. Creating NTMs and TDM-free RegionObjective I.3.1. Administrative Cooperation between Competition and State Aid Monitoring Authorities

a) The CEFTA has enough legal grounds and a specific Ministerial Decision regulating state aid schemes reporting. There is no concrete progress in other actions. The score is 1.

b) The CEFTA has enough legal grounds and a specific Ministerial Decision regulating state aid schemes reporting. There is no concrete progress in other actions. The score is 1.

c) The EBRD commenced implementation of the regional project on competition. The competition day was organised in Belgrade in April. CEFTA will cooperate with the EBRD regarding establishment of the links between the Competition Authorities and regular cooperation to bring efficiency in the state aid reporting processes. The score is 2.

Objective I.3.2. Eliminating any remaining discriminatory practices in public procurement markets

a) The CEFTA Secretariat has outsourced a company that will provide the assessment. At the moment the Inception Report is upon revision by the Parties. The full report was delivered in April 2018. The results were provided to the Parties for consideration with a view to have the final report approved soon. The results will be presented to the Joint Committee during the next meeting of the JC. The score is 4.

Objective I.3.3. Systemic Monitoring of NTMs in trade in goods and servicesThe CEFTA Market Access Barriers Database (MABD) is up and running, and regularly updated. Modali-ties to improve the identification of NTBs at the local level are to be explored for further efficient inputs in the MABD. Furthermore, the CEFTA Parties have been systemically employing bilateral con-sultations to eliminate the NTBs amicably. Regard-ing the elimination of structural NTBs CEFTA needs well-functioning dispute settlement. The score is 3.

Policy 1.4 Facilitation of free trade in servicesObjective I.4.1. Implementation of CEFTA Additional Protocol 6 on Trade in Services

a) The Additional Protocol 6 is pending adoption by the CEFTA Joint Committee, as the issue of denomination of CEFTA Parties

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is still not resolved. The first steps towards securing the future AP6 implementation have been already taken by developing concepts of establishment of contact points for services to secure the fulfilment of the commitment stated in Article 9 para 3. The score is 1.

b) The constraints on the adoption of AP6 are not allowing this activity to start. The Score is 1.

c) The tenders have been prepared for this activity and companies selected. The start of the implementation is expected during the month of June 2018. The score is 2.

d) The activities under this action are planned with GIZ. The first workshop was held in March 2018 to assess the project proposal. The proposal was submitted by GIZ to the BMZ and the positive outcome is expected. The score is 2.

e) Not started yet

f) Not started yet

g) Not started yet

h) The CEFTA Secretariat has developed the Reporting System on Trade in Services, FATS and FDI Services and an adequate dissemination platform. The CEFTA Statistical Portal is set up and features widespread data covering all aspects of trade in services statistics, FATS and FDI statistics as well as indicators defined and approved by the Working Group on Trade in Statistics and Subcommittee on Trade in Services. The portal is accessible via CEFTA Secretariat website, and data can be read and downloaded in professional and user-friendly manner. The score is 4 due to the population of the data by the Parties.

Objective I.4.2. Conclusion of agreements on intra-regional regulatory cooperationIn its Ministerial Conclusions of 27 April 2018, the Parties have considered the importance of trade without regulatory barriers and took steps to-wards negotiating suitable forms of arrangements amongst regulators in charge of services. The sec-tors mutually selected by the CEFTA Parties where the potential conclusion of intra-regional coopera-tion amongst regulatory authorities can be reached included: communication, road transport, tourism and travel, construction and related engineering,

as well as computer related services sectors. The best practice instruments such as harmonisation, sector-specific legally binding agreement and Mu-tual Recognition Agreements proved to be most efficient in increasing efficiency of intraregional trade.

Objective I.4.3. Development of disciplines on domestic regulationThe importance of the domestic regulatory envi-ronment as a context for trade has been widely recognised in Article 10 of the Additional Protocol 6 and in the Ministerial Conclusions. The issues should be dealt within the Subcommittee on Trade in Services.

Objective I.4.4. Launching dialogue on regulatory issues in electronic commerceIn accordance with Article 28 of CEFTA and Article 18 of the Additional Protocol 6, regional dialogue on regulatory issues in e-commerce is set to be launched, coupled with the activities of the RCC under Digital Integration Agenda. First actions have been dedicated to the analysis of the existing legal framework, barriers in e-cross border trade as well as geo-blocking measures. CEFTA Subcommittee on Services will serve as an umbrella for the activities related to the Electronic Commerce with recom-mendations and next steps for the trade compo-nent.

1.4 INVESTMENTOverall state of play/progress The objective of the MAP REA investment agenda is to prioritise and implement reforms in investment-related policies in the WB6 to harmonise them with the EU standards and international best practices, and to promote the region as a sound investment destination to the global business community. This effort is complemented with initiatives to embed smart growth approaches into WB6 economic de-velopment strategies through introduction of smart specialisation. Finally, a more diversified private sector access to finance is also addressed through MAP REA with actions aimed at further regional capital markets development to increase business activity through financial intermediators other than banks.

The economies are at different stages of develop-ment on the three components of the investment agenda. These differences have been taken into ac-

count when preparing the regional deliverables for MAP REA.

Albania is in the final stages of enacting the Uni-fied Investment Law, to be followed by relevant bylaws (including the Investor Grievance Mecha-nism). Along with evolving the investment policy legal framework, there is also a strong need to strengthen the capacities of institutions in charge of implementing the investment agenda. Mixed progress is seen in smart growth with a need to fo-cus efforts on adoption of the Strategy on Research and Development, further strengthen the capacity of the National Agency for Science, and formalise the governance structure for the smart specialisa-tion strategy. Albania S3 team has identified rel-evant experts for data collection, and completed the first phase of the S3 roadmap, with planned support from JRC on the development of the smart specialisation strategy. Furthermore, the mapping of economic, innovative and scientific potential is anticipated to be completed by the end of the third semester of 2018. External expertise will be needed in the process and Albania is seeking fund-ing support from donors and JRC on this.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, investment policy and legal framework is in place, but in need of im-provement, with a particular focus on International Investment Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties Reforms, along with the need for capacity building in investment promotion. On other parts of the investment component, although the market authorities, regulators and operators are in place and functional on entity levels, Bosnia and Herze-govina would be well advised to further consolidate its financial market through closer coordination of stock exchanges, securities commissions and line ministries.

Kosovo’s* investment policy and legal framework, although largely in place, would benefit from fur-ther upgrading, with a particular focus on Inter-national Investment Agreements. In terms of the financial market development, the establishment of the stock exchange or other securities trading platform would help expand and diversify access to finance. Good progress is seen in smart growth, in particular with the set of initiatives on innovation policy which need to be fully implemented once adopted through a coordinated inter-ministerial approach. Support to raise awareness on smart spe-cialisation strategies would be important.

Montenegro’s investment framework is in place, but can be subject to further improvements, par-

ticularly on aspects related to modernising the net-work of bilateral investment treaties and updating their investor-state dispute settlement provisions. Given that Montenegro does not have the invest-ment promotion strategy, developing strategic plans for investments would be needed. Investment promotion in Montenegro needs further support by strengthening the currently understaffed invest-ment promotion agency.

UNCTAD has launched the e-procedures portal in Montenegro to map out all administrative proce-dures from business establishment to registering an employee, getting an electricity connection, etc. As for the financial markets, Montenegro has adopt-ed the new Law on Capital Markets introducing fur-ther compliance with EU acquis in this area and setting the basis for further alignment with imple-menting directives and regulatory technical stand-ards. Good progress is noted in smart growth, with a set of initiatives on innovation policy that are to be adopted in a coordinated inter-ministerial ap-proach. The new Strategy of Scientific Research Ac-tivity (2017–2021) with the Action Plan was adopted by the Montenegrin Government in December 2017 and the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) is under preparation. Within the S3 development, Monte-negro started with the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in May 2018 and is currently carrying out a second round of consultations with private, public, academic and civil sectors regarding S3 pri-ority sectors. The Ministry of Science implemented the Pilot Call for Innovative Projects in November 2017 and plans to publish the call for larger innova-tive grants 2018-2020 by the end of June 2018. Fur-thermore, Montenegro co-signed, along with other (wider SEE) economies a Declaration of Intent for Establishment of the Scientific Institute in South East Europe, which is anticipated to stimulate the education of young scientists and engineers based on knowledge and technology transfer from Euro-pean laboratories like CERN and others, and would enable international competitive research in South East Europe.

In case of Serbia, although no input has been re-ceived as of yet, it can be noted that the legis-lation pertinent to investments is in place, along with the new Investment Promotion Strategy, with further reform to be undertaken within the RIRA context. Serbia has made considerable progress in capital markets development by having in place an advanced trading platform/stock exchange as well as functional and effective regulators, with some additional needs for policy and technical level im-provements. In case of smart specialisation, Serbia

18 19


is placed amongst the advanced economies in the region, having S3 platform in place.

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has adopted the new programme for investment sup-port as well as the new Law for Financial Support to Investments (Law on Investments) accompanied with the respective by-laws for its implementation. In the financial markets area, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has the institutions (regula-tors and operators) in place, with planned upgrades through policy interventions and technical support underpinned by regional-level dialogue.

Across the region, a strong need is evident for bet-ter coordination at the level of individual econo-mies – namely amongst the MAP REA National Co-

ordinators, Component Contact Points and line ministries and relevant institutions. To ensure quality of deliberations and sustainability of the regional dialogue, regional platforms for MAP REA implementation must include adequate represen-tation with clear decision-making mandates from the relevant institutions. In addition to the regional level (via RCC-supported platforms and communi-cations channels), the work of the regional plat-forms (i.e. working groups on investments, capital markets, and others) must be channelled back into the domestic context and coordinated amongst representatives in the regional platforms with MAP REA National Coordinators. This is necessary so as to align the vertical and horizontal coordination processes of MAP REA implementation.

Figure 2: Investment - State of Preparedness of MAP REA Implementation in WB6 at the Level of Objectives

0

1

2

3

4

5

II.1.3. Implement

and monitor investment

reforms in WB6

II.1.2. Formalize

the regional investment

reform agenda through

appropriate instruments

II.1.5. Diversification

of financial systems to

boost investment

II.1.6. Smart

Growth

II.1.4. Promote

WB6 region as a unique investment destination

II.1.1. Develop and

establish a regional investment

reform agenda

5.0

1.0

2.5 2.53.0

2.0

On the overall state of play, the region stands on a moderate level of preparation in the investment component of the MAP REA. WB6 has advanced in preparing the regional investment reform agenda, building/upgrading the smart specialisation plat-form, as well as establishing the regional platform

on capital markets and agreeing on the need for a regional strategic approach to this part of the agenda (see Figure 2). The regional deliverables have been agreed upon at the existing/newly es-tablished platforms as follows:

Table 2: State of play of the RCC facilitated regional deliverables

Deliverables Output indicatorConsensus on regional investment reform agenda (RIRA) with pertinent set of policies

RIRA endorsed through consultations at individual economy level, and structural regional dialogue through SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments, SEEIC plenary and ultimately SEEIC ministerial meeting

Deliverables Output indicatorReaffirmed mandate of SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments

Terms of Reference of SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments amended with a focus on MAP REA and adopted, with mandated participants in charge of investment policy, investment promotion, investment agreements and CEFTA contact points

Established regional capital markets platform Working Group on Capital Markets established and official, comprised of representatives from Ministries of Finance, Central Banks, Securities Commissions and Stock Exchanges, with adopted Terms of Reference with a focus on MAP REA

Regional project initiative for financial markets coordination and diversification of access to finance through capital markets

Multi-annual regional programme proposal for capital markets developed under the guidance of the Working Group on Capital Markets

Initiation of introduction of Smart Specialisation to strategic industrial development documents

S3 teams established and S3 roadmaps drafted in 5 economies

State of implementation at objective levelII.1. Investment policyThe WB6 as a region is on a good track in imple-mentation of the investment component of the MAP REA. During the reporting period, all economies delivered necessary inputs and took part in prep-aration of RIRA, both through individual economy consultations and the regional dialogue (through sessions of SEEIC-CEFTA Working Group on Invest-ments and SEEIC plenary and ministerial fora). Fur-thermore, the region has focused on the agenda for the diversification of finance through the capital markets, by establishing a new regional platform – Working Group on Capital Markets – and develop-ing a multi-annual regional programme proposal for capital markets development.

RIRA has been developed under the guidance of the SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Invest-ments and technical support of the World Bank Group through an EU-funded regional programme on investment policy and promotion. It sets out the pathway for creating a dynamic investment space in the WB6, according to the MAP REA, within the context of the SEE 2020 Strategy and CEFTA legal framework, and pursuant to the individual econo-my SAAs. It puts the priorities of the private sector at the centre stage while recognising the individual development priorities of the WB6 economies.

In line with these twin objectives, the agenda fo-cuses on core areas of investment policy as well as related policies that matter most to the private sector and the governments of the region. RIRA is

intended to contribute and add value to individual investment reform efforts undertaken by the econ-omies of the region. The agenda acknowledges the differing reform baselines as well as implementa-tion capacities across the economies of the region, as well as the different stages of EU integration process. RIRA ensures transparent and fair compe-tition amongst the economies by mitigating a “race to the bottom” whilst not hindering the interests of the WB6 economies. The ultimate goal of the agen-da is to improve the attractiveness of the region as a whole for foreign and intra-regional business, and hence facilitate higher inflow of investments and generate higher entrepreneurial activity, trade, and ultimately jobs. Hence, the WB6 are commit-ted to design and implement a regional investment reform agenda which will lead to greater harmoni-sation of regional investment policies aligned with EU and international standards and best practices, and will provide significant new opportunities for the private sector.

The WB6 succeeded to implement the MAP REA measures prescribed for the 1st half of 2018 under the investment component, as follows11:

Objective II.1.1. Develop and establish a regional investment reform agendaThe region has implemented the MAP REA measures for this specific dimension within the timeframe for the first half of 2018. Detailed mapping of foreign

11 MAP REA Investment component measures not mentioned under this heading are intended for the later stage, after the WB6 Summit in London and are taken into consideration under the Next Steps heading

20 21


investments in the WB6 region has been performed, with the input and access to FDI-relevant data pro-vided by the WB6 economies. Based on this data, a comprehensive inventory/database of key invest-ment policy barriers and inhibitors has been iden-tified and compiled, and best practices outlined. This work has been performed through in-depth consultations with the private sector and review of existing analysis, with economies providing neces-sary data on existing policies, laws, and regulations pertaining to investment, relevant system of incen-tives as well as legal and other comprehensive pro-tection of the acquired rights of investors12. With this, and other data taken into account, a regional investment reform agenda proposal has been for-mulated and this agenda has been consulted with the participating WB6 economies on the individual economy level.

Given that the RIRA is comprised of heterogeneous mix of policies pertinent to investments, different institutions in charge of those policy areas took part in the consultations and provided their inputs, under the coordination of the MAP REA Investment Contact Points. Individual-economy consultations were used to help align the proposed measures with different investment context in each of the WB6 economies, as well with the diverse priorities contained in individual economy strategic objec-tives and reform efforts (i.e. Economic Reform Pro-grammes). Following the consultations, RIRA was further discussed through the SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments, both in direct work-ing group sessions as well as continuous online con-sultations throughout the reporting period. As the Working Group on Investment operates under the auspices of the SEE Investment Committee (SEE-IC), the final proposal of the RIRA was authorised at the SEEIC Plenary meeting on 27 April 2018 and ultimately endorsed by the Ministers of Economies at the SEEIC Ministerial meeting on 11 May 2018. Based on the final ministerial decision, RIRA will be forwarded to the region’s Prime Ministers for adop-tion at the upcoming WB6 Summit.

RIRA entails measures on the following policy areas:

I. Investor Entry and Establishment

1. Enhancing entry and establishment opportunities for investors

2. Improving business establishment policies and procedures

12 More than 750 multinational corporations have been surveyed in order to find out what motivates investors’ decision-making, with access to new markets (including regional) or new customer being the top priority rather than just the domestic market of one host economy.

II. Investment Protection and Retention

3. Aligning the legal frameworks for investment, including IIAs, with in-ternational good practice and EU standards

4. Strengthening investment retention mechanisms in the region

III. Investment Attraction and Promotion

5. Developing a regional investment promotion initiative

6. Streamlining incentives, and im-proving their transparency and gov-ernance

Objective II.1.2. Formalise the regional investment reform agenda through appropriate instrumentsActions under this objective are planned for the second half of 2018 and no specific activities can be reported to date.

Objective II.1.3 Implement and monitor investment reforms in WB6 as per established regional investment reform agendaThe regional dialogue on RIRA has been strength-ened and guided under the existing RCC’s SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments. The regional platform has developed and endorsed an updated Terms of Reference, with a specific focus given to the implementation of MAP REA Invest-ment component. The updated ToR requires con-tinuous participation in the Working Group by the economies’ representatives in charge of investment policy, investment promotion, investment agree-ments and CEFTA contact points. This work is sup-ported by the MAP REA Investment Contact Points, appointed by the MAP REA National Coordinators. So far, several economies have clearly defined and mandated representation of the relevant public in-stitutions with appropriate decision-making power in implementation of the agreed regional invest-ment reform agenda, while others are anticipated to do so in the upcoming period.

Objective II.1.4. Promote WB6 region as a unique investment destination RIRA also includes a joint investment promotion ini-tiative for WB6 in priority sectors. This initiative, also stipulated by the SEE 2020 Strategy, includes identifying and selecting additional priority sec-tors under the smart specialisation effort that will

have the priority focus in the investment promotion activities in the upcoming period. The operational platform for investment promotion already exists under the RCC’s SEEIC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investments and its participants mandated by the investment promotion authorities will take the lead in implementing this part of MAP REA. The work on the regional investment promotion takes into account the development of the online region-al platform for promotion of the WB6 undertaken by the Chamber Investment Forum – CIF.

Objective II.1.5. Diversification of financial systems to boost investment All measures planned to be implemented under this objective during the reporting period have been executed. The RCC supported establishment of a Working Group on Capital Market set up in Decem-ber 2017, comprising policymakers (Ministries of Finance and Central Banks), capital market regula-tors (Securities Commissions) and operators (Stock Exchanges) with the objective of spearheading cap-ital market development matters and enhancing co-ordination on regulatory and supervisory regimes in the region and beyond. Terms of Reference for the Working Group have been adopted, with a focus on implementation of capital markets measures under MAP REA, intended to expand and diversify access to finance beyond the banking sector and contrib-ute to the creation of a more dynamic investment space in the region. Capital markets development needs identified in the first MAP Stocktaking Report were also confirmed by the group, which also put forward other measures and activities, beyond the stipulations of MAP REA, including:

� Determining detailed gaps, barriers, and needs of development of capital markets, and articulating them into concrete reform proposals: regional strategy for development of capital market

� Addressing the barriers and challenges to capital market development through targeted policy interventions by integrating them into individual-economy strategic documents and implementing the proposed reforms on the individual-economy levels

� Establishing new platforms for access to finances (i.e. crowdfunding, venture capital, etc.)

� Increasing capacity of existing capital market structures and initiating establishment of capital market structures where non-existing

� Upgrading joint regional trading platforms

These proposals have been consolidated into a con-cept note for multi-annual regional programme for capital market development that is currently being proposed for consideration for financing and future implementation.

Objective II.1.6. Smart GrowthResearch and innovation policy frameworks and ini-tiatives have been very dynamic in all economies of the region over the past year. Majority of econo-mies have started to engage in developing policies, instruments and institutions to directly support in-novation in the private sector, enhance cooperation between the academia and industry, and promote technology transfer and commercialisation of re-search.

Development of smart specialisation strategies has been placed on the agenda as one of the priorities for 2018 by all economies. Montenegro and Serbia have progressed in the development of the smart specialisation strategies, while the other four economies have initiated the process of the devel-opment of smart specialisation strategies by ap-pointing the coordinating institution and the team to work on the preparation of the smart specialisa-tion in early 2018. RCC and the Directorate-General Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) of the European Commission co-organised a joint Workshop on the Governance of Smart Specialisation and Training on the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in the Western Balkans, which was held at the Ljubljana Technology Park in April 2018.

During the course of the workshop, Albania, Bos-nia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* and The Former Yu-goslav Republic of Macedonia have completed the first drafts of the Roadmaps for the Development of the Smart Specialisation Strategies, while Montene-gro and Serbia have started to prepare operational plans for the implementation of the EDP process. Albania has finalised the first phase of the S3 road-map having obtained a letter of intention from the JRC regarding the collaboration on the develop-ment of smart specialisation strategy. Also, the in-stitutional capacity building phase of the roadmap was concluded, and the desk research of existing policies and strategies related to S3 has been final-ised. The decision to have a S3 - while also piloting the Region 2 - was taken in close collaboration and consultation with the RDA2. The Albanian S3 team is working closely with JRC following the steps foreseen in the jointly agreed roadmap. Montene-gro started with Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) in May 2018 and is now holding the second round of consultations with private, public, aca-

22 23


demic and civil society sectors regarding S3 priority sectors.

The Western Balkan region has significantly im-proved innovation performance in the last ten years. However, in catching up with other European regions, the focus of innovation efforts should be enhanced. Although some Western Balkan econo-mies have seen increases in patent activity, patent intensity in the region is still low, while, on the oth-er hand, scientific publication production displays a stable growth trend. Exports are still far more focused on medium- and low-technology products. Innovative efforts mostly accommodate tradition-ally strong sectors, which do not necessarily reflect the ideal competitiveness paths for economies in the region13.

According to the 2018 Balkan Barometer Business Opinion Survey, almost every fourth company in SEE has reported introducing new products and/or services and every third company has improved production and/or service delivery process in the past three years. In terms of sectors, companies from educational-scientific sector tend to innovate more, while those in transport, trade and tour-ism seem to innovate the least of all compared to other sectors. Only 9% of the introduced innovation comes from cooperation with the universities in the region.

A multi-country IPA project aimed at supporting technology transfer and innovation in the Western Balkans – EU4Tech – managed by DG NEAR and DG Joint Researcher Centre was launched at the begin-ning of 2016. Fifteen organisations in the ecosys-tem for TT capacity building in the WB6 have been identified within the project and targeted capacity building and trainings are to commence in 2018.

Furthermore, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is conducting a feasibility study for a regional Centre of Excellence which should propose institution(s)/hub(s) with highest potential for Centre of Excel-lence based on research agenda, capacity to inte-grate related fields, enable industrial connectivity, and ensure visibility and sustainability. Due to de-lays, the study has not yet been made available, but it is expected to be published later in 2018.

Investments to support innovation, as well as com-mercialisation of public research are of crucial im-portance. Serbia has set up a functional innovation fund, as did The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mace-

13 Supporting Innovation Agenda for the Western Balkans: Tools and Methodologies, EU (2018). Available at http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC111430/2018-04-24_western-balkans-report_online.pdf

donia. Albania also offers public grants to SMEs that focus on innovation and technology by supporting audit of innovation and technology needs, partici-pation in innovation and technology national and international fairs, procurement of technology-intensive/innovative equipment/machinery, etc. Other economies have started introducing differ-ent innovation voucher schemes on a smaller scale. Under the Western Balkans Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (WB EDIF), the World Bank is implementing technical assistance to support de-velopment of an enabling venture capital ecosys-tem and assist with investment readiness of SMEs. Investment readiness pilots are being implemented throughout the region.

The EU4Tech project, mentioned above, has re-viewed existing available TT financial instruments in region. Based on the identified gaps, JRC’s the-matic expertise and EIB’s financial know-how will be used in a synergetic way to launch a small-scale WB6 pilot initiative funded through the multi-coun-try IPA, which will represent the next, and first practical, stage in the efforts to cover the so called “valley of death” between research and industry.

Obstacles and challenges The implementation of the investment component of the MAP REA encounters some difficulties and risks that need to be addressed both at individual-economy and regional level. The main challenges relate to capacity of public administration to com-ply with this demanding agenda, as well as coor-dination amongst the relevant institutions at the level of each individual economy. Although some technical assistance to support implementation of one part of the measures put forward in MAP REA Investment component has been available, further assistance is needed, particularly on the legal side of RIRA, more comprehensive investment promo-tion, and implementation of the measures devel-oped under the capital markets segment.

The challenges in implementing investment compo-nent measures entail:

� The level of harmonisation of the domestic legislation with the respective EU acquis is uneven across WB6 as economies are at different stages of EU integration process with own plans for legislative harmonisation process. This may in certain areas collide with the need to have regional positions or deploying regional actions. Due consideration is to be given to this, along with the attention to the different levels

of development and reform priorities in each of the participating economies.

� Both the available expertise and human capacity is a challenge across the region. The administrations are usually understaffed (particularly investment promotion agencies, but situation is not much different in the ministries either) or lack technical and expert capacity and need support in designing and implementing the activities dedicated to regional cooperation, as this usually represents work on top and beyond the usual scope. Thus, technical assistance is needed at several levels to support the administrations in implementing MAP REA measures.

� Administrative and bureaucratic obstacles to the implementation of the measures may hinder the process of implementation of agreed MAP REA measures at individual economy levels and dilute the quality of reforms. The effective implementation of reforms will entail a complexed chain of decision-making at the individual economy levels. For this reason, dedicated and effective coordination and communication amongst the relevant stakeholders in each of the economies will be needed amongst to successfully implement the measures.

� There is a clear need to integrate WB6 closer into the EU programmes and initiatives, as there are several actions intended to facilitate the participation of WB6 in EU programmes, initiatives and institutions. This also requires a proactive and positive response by EU institutions and other potential partners involved, and a need for DG NEAR to coordinate this process.

Recommendations and next stepsThis section provides a blueprint for next steps to be undertaken in the coming period so as to reach the set objectives under the MAP REA Investment component. The recommendations represent a nat-ural sequence of implementation of the Investment component, taking into account that the measures foreseen for the reporting period have been ful-filled.

II.1.1. Develop and establish a regional investment reform agenda

� Formulate individual-economy action plans reflecting the regional investment reform agenda and streamlining the individual-economy reform efforts

� Adopt individual economy action plans, reflecting the regional investment reform agenda and streamlining the individual economy reform efforts

II.1.2. Formalise the regional investment reform agenda through appropriate instruments

� Conduct analysis and propose options for appropriate instrument(s) acceptable to WB6 economies based on the content of the agreed regional investment reform agenda

� Decide on the feasibility, format, and scope of appropriate instrument(s) for implementation of the regional investment reform agenda

� Initiate and conclude negotiations on regionally suitable instrument(s), depending on the decision reached.

II.1.3. Implement and monitor investment reforms in WB6 as per established regional investment reform agenda

� Establish individual-economy focus groups in charge of implementation of agreed investment reforms on individual economy level

� Review the progress of implementation of the regional investment reform agenda and conduct impact assessment through a regular regional dialogue under the RCC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investment Policy and Promotion meetings and reports

� Report on the implementation and impact of the regional investment reform agenda through the RCC-CEFTA Joint Working Group on Investment Policy and Promotion and SEE Investment Committee Ministerial Platform and the WB6 summit

II.1.4. Promote WB6 region as a unique investment destination

� Implement a small set of focused investment outreach activities in core sectors targeted by the SEE 2020 Strategy

� Dedicate part of the individual activities of investment promotion agencies to promoting the region as a sound investment destination

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1.5 MOBILITYOverall state of play/progressRetention and subsequent leveraging of human intellectual capital is of fundamental importance for developing knowledge-based economies in the Western Balkans. In an increasingly global econo-my, the extent to which international high-skilled mobility channels are formed within the region and between the region and the EU is a question of great importance. Better integration of high-skilled professionals and academics into professional and research networks, the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area, will yield significant benefits for the migratory region of Western Balkans.

The Western Balkan Enlargement Strategy empha-sised the need to ensure full integration of the WB6 into the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area to support integration of the students, researchers and academics into the ex-isting European networks. Furthermore, the Sofia Declaration of the EU – Western Balkans Summit calls for increased efforts on recognition of quali-fications.

All of the WB6 economies have stepped up efforts to prioritise and remove obstacles to mobility of researchers, resulting in overall good progress in this area. The WB6 have prioritised mobility of re-searchers in their respective strategic frameworks. In response to the identified obstacles to mobil-ity of researchers, which include financial barri-ers, majority of the economies have created grant schemes to support mobility of researchers at the level of individual economies. All of the WB6 par-ticipate in Horizon2020 with varied success rates, as well as the Marie Curie Sklodowska Actions where success rates of the WB6 researchers are low. For the first time some of the 2018 EU Progress Reports have flagged the participation rates of the WB6 in the MCSA. In the past year majority of WB6 have conducted specific capacity building measures to support active participation and increased success rates in available EU programmes. In the light of the preparations of the next generation of the EU programmes, in particular the FP9, the WB6 have an opportunity to formulate joint positions and propose concrete measures to tackle the challeng-es currently faced.

With regards to actions aimed at supporting re-search infrastructure and the development of cen-tres of excellence in the region, progress has been

slower and variation between economies more prominent. All the WB6 economies apart from Ko-sovo* have representatives in the European Strat-egy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). Montenegro completed mapping of research infra-structure and finalised the Research Infrastructure Roadmap in line with ESFRI, while Serbia is in the final stage of completing the mapping exercise and the Research Infrastructure Roadmap. Additional resources and technical expertise is needed to sup-port the mapping of RI and the development of RI Roadmaps in other four economies.

Despite initial delays, technical preparations for opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recog-nition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers have been completed marking good pro-gress on removing obstacles to recognition of pro-fessional qualifications. The joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications has agreed on the 7th of May 2018 to recommend the opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recog-nition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers in a multilateral framework. Based on the recommendation of the Joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications the governments of the WB6 are expected to provide the mandates and to appoint the Lead Negotiator, Deputy Lead Negotiator and the negotiation teams. Provided that all governments complete their pro-cedures and inform the RCC Secretary General thereof, the first meeting of the negotiating teams could take place during July 2018. In addition, the Joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications also agreed to recommend to the governments to appoint a coordinator for the Da-tabase on Professional Qualifications in WB6 with a mandate to coordinate the data collection and submit the data to the Database on Professional Qualifications by the 30th of June 2018.

One of the key conclusions of the JWG on MRPQ was to ensure the alignment of the recognition models proposed in the MRA to the EU recognition model as established in the Directive 2005/36/EC on Pro-fessional Qualifications. Therefore, the regional negotiations and efforts to transpose the Directive 2005/36/EC on Professional Qualifications are mu-tually reinforcing. Significant differences in pro-gress in the transposition of the Directive are no-ticeable amongst the WB6. To ensure this potential is fully captured, additional resources to support institutional capacity building and ensure expert support on the specificities of the Directive through

active support of the relevant line DGs (DG GROW) throughout the negotiations are indispensable.

The planned actions on removing obstacles to rec-ognition of academic qualifications are ahead of scheduled timeline; therefore, advanced progress in the region can be noted. The regional and do-mestic efforts to remove the obstacles to recog-nition of academic qualifications are particularly timely from an EU perspective as well. The Euro-pean Higher Education Area Ministerial Conference which took place in May 2018 has reinforced the importance of recognition of academic qualifica-tions. Furthermore, the EU is preparing a Commu-nication of Recognition of Academic Qualifications to be endorsed by the EU Council during the Aus-trian Presidency of the EU.

The Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications has agreed during December 2017 to launch a joint exercise to identify similarities/differences in recognition of foreign degrees and to suggest further joint action to decrease the dif-ferences based on which Joint Guides on Recogni-tion of Academic Qualifi-cations will be prepared. An initial set of principles for recognition of aca-demic qualifications has been discussed and is to be finalised at the next meeting of the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications. In addition, to facilitate information exchange and increase transpar-ency and cooperation in recognition of academic qualifications, a regional dialogue and regular meetings of the ENIC/NARIC centres and the Qual-ity Assurance Agencies in the WB6 have been estab-

lished. Finally, the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications has agreed on an initial concept of the joint online system to share infor-mation, including on higher education institutions, qualifications and decisions taken. This information would thus be available to all ENIC/NARIC centres and ministries responsible for higher education in the WB6 which puts the process significantly ahead of the proposed schedule.

The deepened regional cooperation on recognition of academic qualifications was reinforced by ad-ditional domestic efforts to shorten, simplify and create “student-friendly” procedures for recogni-tion of academic qualifications. The new legisla-tive frameworks adopted across WB6 in the last year open multiple opportunities for MAP actions to contribute significantly to the modernisation of the higher education systems in the region.

Figure 3: Mobility - State of Preparedness of MAP REA Implementation in WB6 at the Level of Objec-tives

The regional deliverables have been agreed upon at the existing/newly established platforms as fol-lows:

0

1

2

3

4

5

Objective: III.1.1.Removal of obstacles

tomobility of researchers


to recognitionof professionalqualification


to recognitionof academicqualification

3.0 3.0

4.0

Table 3: State of play of the RCC facilitated regional deliverables

Deliverables Output indicatorSupport integration of the WB6 into the EU initiatives on R&D and Open Science policies in the WB6

WB6 participated in the EU Member States Meeting of the National Contact Points for Open Science as observers

EU Report on Open Science will for the first time include a chapter on Western Balkans

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Deliverables Output indicatorCompleted technical preparations for the opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers

Recommendation on opening the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers agreed by the Joint Working Group on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications

Draft legal text of the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers prepared

Structured approach on Recognition of Academic Qualifications in South East Europe was agreed and endorsed

Initiated work on technical preparation for a model of automatic recognition of academic qualifications in the WB6

Initiated work on the joint information system, i.e. regional on-line system to facilitate recognition of academic qualifications was prepared and discussed with the WG on RAQ

Kicked-off the network of ENIC/NARIC and QA agencies in the WB6

Formalised the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualification which adopted Terms of Reference and Work Plan for 2018

Comparative study which included policy recommendations on removing obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications after a comprehensive consultation process was finalised

Principles of a model of recognition of academic qualifications presented and discussed

Joint Exercise on Recognition of Academic Qualifications outlining the objectives, methodology, results and next steps to facilitate recognition of academic qualifications was initiated

First concept of the joint information system, i.e. regional on-line system to facilitate recognition of academic qualifications was prepared and discussed with the WG on RAQ

Network of ENIC/NARIC and QA agencies met for the first time in March 2018

State of implementation at objective levelPolicy: III.1. Mobility of Researchers

Objective: III.1.1. Removal of obstacles to mobility of researchersAll of the WB6 economies have stepped up efforts marking overall good progress on removing obsta-cles to mobility of researchers. All WB6 have pri-oritised mobility of researchers in their respective strategic frameworks. Additional efforts were made by Albania where the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation prepared a report for Min-istry of Education with the main findings on legal barriers to mobility of researchers, as well as on-line version of the Incoming Researchers Mobility

Guide. In Bosnia and Herzegovina establishment of the Registry of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, training, volunteer service, schemes or educational projects was initi-ated; together with Ministry of Security and Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serbia has identified legal barriers to mobility in the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Devel-opment of Serbia for the period from 2016 to 2020 - “Research for innovation” – and prepared an Action Plan be adopted in 2018. In response to the identi-fied obstacles to mobility of researchers, which in-clude financial barriers, majority of the economies have created grant schemes to support mobility of researchers. In Kosovo* the Ministry of Education and Science has allocated EUR 60,000.00 for mo-bility for 2018; in 2017, 84 researchers benefited

from this mobility fund. The 2018 Mobility Call has also been announced, and will remain open from February until October 2018 - 23 researchers have been supported during April-May.14 In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the Ministry of Edu-cation and Sciences provides financial support to young scientific - research staff with granting schol-arships for the academic year 2018/2019 for second and third cycle of studies at the top 10 ranked uni-versities in all scientific fields of study and at one of the first 100 ranked universities in the field of technical sciences according to the Academic Rank-ing of World Universities (ARWU).

All WB6 economies participate in Horizon2020 with varied success rates, as well as the Marie Curie Sk-lodowska Actions where success rates of the WB6 researchers seem to be low. According to EU’s Pro-gress Report in Albania the applicants to H2020 pro-gramme had increased to 249 from 146 in 2016, but the success rate remains comparatively low (7.9% compared to 14.7% overall for Horizon 2020). Fur-thermore, participation in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions have been increasing steadily over the last years, counting a total of 21 funded talented re-searchers since 2014. Regarding the participation in H2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina has so far 29 suc-cessful projects with 45 participants from BiH, and has received EUR 4.1 mil, with success rate 14.4 versus 14.7 EU average. Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in all EU mobility schemes, particular-ly in MSC Actions. So far, BiH had 1 application in IF, 11 applications in ITN, 16 in RISE, and 2 researches involved in COFUND. Progress report for Kosovo* states that so far Kosovo* has participated 10 times in H2020 projects (2 new ones in 2016 and 1 new in 2017) and has had the first experienced researcher funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions last year.15 During 2018, Kosovo* approved a regula-tion for the definition and functionalisation of the NCP seeking to increase Horizon 2020 participation. Montenegro’s participation in the framework pro-gramme Horizon 2020 (H2020) is quoted in progress report to be 13 projects; however it is underscored that the success rates have improved and are close to the European average.16 According to EU’s pro-gress report Serbia continues to be active and suc-cessful in the EU research programme Horizon 2020 as well as in EUREKA, COST and the NATO Science

14 19 participating in the international conferences, and 4 others in scientific researchers.15 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-kosovo-report.pdf16 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-montenegro-report.pdf

and Peace for Security programmes. It also empha-sises that the number of early-stage or experienced researchers participating in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions has increased steadily over the last years, counting a total of 126 funded talented researchers since 2014.17 The progress report for The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia cites that annual participation in the Horizon 2020 programme has doubled in 2016 and preliminary figures for 2017 show a continuation of this very positive trend. Overall, the Horizon 2020 success rate is low at 9.7%.18

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have been participating successfully in COST actions which support integration of researchers into Eu-ropean networks and raise their capacity. Albania has joined COST only this year (2018) while Ko-sovo* joined COST as a Near Neighbour Country. To support participation of WB6 (and others) in Horizon2020 the EU has opened special sub-pro-grammes - Widening measures, including Twinning, ERA Chairs and Widening Fellowships – in which the WB6 participate.

Matching efforts have been instigated by the WB6 economies which have in the past year conducted specific capacity building measures to support ac-tive participation and increased success rates in available EU programmes. In Albania the Ministry of Education and Science through the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation has foreseen to train a group of 100 researchers on accessibil-ity and benefit opportunities from the Horizon 2020 programme. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Na-tional Contact Points for Horizon 2020 organised 20 info days, workshops and seminars in cooperation with universities, development agencies and cham-bers of commerce. Also, within the same structure, the Guideline for the Horizon 2020 programme was prepared and a grant scheme in the amount of BAM 444,000 was disbursed by the Ministry of Civil Af-fairs both in 2016 and 2017 as a support to research and academic institutions, SMEs and other R&D in-stitutions for preparing and submitting H2020, COST and EUREKA applications. In Montenegro training to improve the development of project proposals was provided while the H2020 National Office, national focal points, and the system of delegates to the H2020 Programme Committees were reorganised,

17 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-serbia-report.pdf18 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/20180417-the-former-yugoslav-republic-of-macedonia-report.pdf

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and awareness raising measures resumed accord-ing to this year’s progress report. In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia an action plan for enhancing participation in Horizon 2020 and MSC actions respectively has been prepared foreseeing promotional activities and capacity building activi-ties.

In the light of preparations for the next generation of the programmes, the so-called FP9 programme, the experience of the WB6 should be taken into ac-count when designing particular instruments and measures of the programme, particularly as the WB6 experiences are not unique and are shared with many Central, Eastern and Mediterranean countries of the EU. Experiences of the FP7 where particular calls were directed at the WB research-ers and institutions were highlighted as particularly useful for the capacity building of the WB institu-tions and have had significant positive impact on the increased success rates of the WB institutions in competing with EU member states on a more equal footing. These actions should be considered for replication in FP9 and possibly the remaining calls under Horizon2020.

Western Balkan economies’ active participation in the Programme Committees of Horizon 2020 is im-portant, given the perspective of EU membership highlighted by the European Commission’s new en-largement strategy. As concluded at the last meet-ing of the Western Balkan Platform on Research and Development and Innovation19, the Western Balkan ministers might wish to consider addressing a joint letter to the European Commission proposing full voting rights in the Programme Committees to con-tribute to the discussions undertaken in the com-mittees.

Furthermore, each government has signed several bilateral agreements with economies of the region and outside the region to promote research coop-eration. However, the implementation of the bilat-eral agreements is stalled due to limited financial resources. Therefore, some of the MAP mobility contact points have initiated discussions on a po-tential multilateral agreement which may elevate some of the existing financial limitations.

With regards to actions aimed at supporting re-search infrastructure progress has been slower and variation between economies more prominent. All the WB6 economies apart from Kosovo* have representatives in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). Montenegro

19 See full conclusions here: https://wbc-rti.info/object/news/17083

completed mapping of research infrastructure and finalised the Research Infrastructure Roadmap in line with ESFRI, while Serbia is in the final stage of completing the mapping exercise and the Research Infrastructure Roadmap. Albania and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have announced preparation of the mapping of research infrastruc-ture in the upcoming period. Only Serbia has ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium) contact point and is one of the founding members of the Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium (CERIC-ERIC) and participates in Digi-tal Research Infrastructure for Arts and Humanities ERIC (DARIAH-ERIC20) and European Social Survey ERIC (ESS-ERIC21).

The Working Group on Open Science (WGOS) was formed under the auspices of the Regional Coop-eration Council (RCC) with the aim of accelerat-ing policy reforms in favour of Open Science in the Western Balkan economies and in particular to en-sure synergies between planned and new domes-tic e-infrastructures to support Open Access and Open Data policies in the region. Ensuring synergies amongst e-infrastructures at European and global level and designating a National Point of Reference for Open Access is essential for integration of the WB into the European Research Area. To support the process of Opening Science in the Western Balkans the DG R&D invited the WB6 to attend as observ-ers the regular meetings of the network of National Points of Reference on Scientific Information (NPR) of EU member states as well as included them into the upcoming cycle of regular EU reporting on Open Science.

The regional initiative, led by Montenegro, to es-tablish a South East European International Insti-tute for Sustainable Technologies (SEEIIST) aims

20 DARIAH is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium(ERIC), a pan-European infrastructure for arts and humanities scholars working with computational methods. It supports digital research as well as the teaching of digital research methods. Currently DARIAH has 17members: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, as well as cooperating Partners with eight non-member countries: Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. https://www.dariah.eu/21 The European Social Survey (ESS) is an academically driven cross-national survey that has been conducted across Europe since its establishment in 2001. Prior to the award of ERIC status, the ESS was funded on a round-by-round basis. The central coordination and design was funded through the European Commission’s Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes, the European Science Foundation (ESF) and national funding councils in the participating countries.

to build a regional centre of excellence centred around a research nucleus with the newest tech-nology which would offer a first-class research and have long-term effects on economic growth. The initiative has gained wide regional support whereby the Declaration of Intent to establish SEEIIST was signed on 25 October 2017 at CERN by Ministers of Science and other representatives of the respective economies. The first meeting of the SEEIIST Steer-ing Committee took place on 30 January 2018 in Sofia, during the Bulgarian Presidency of the Coun-cil of the EU.

All of the WB6 economies, with an exception of Ko-sovo*, have established the EURAXESS Service Cen-tres and associated EURAXESS Jobs Portals, yet lit-tle information on researcher job vacancies in the region is available through the EURAXESS portal. Majority of the economies are investing additional resources to raise capacities of their respective EU-RAXESS offices.

Policy: III.2. Mobility of Professionals

Objective: III.2.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of professional qualificationsDespite initial delays, technical preparations for opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recog-nition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers have been completed marking good pro-gress on removing obstacles to recognition of pro-fessional qualifications.

The Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qualifications has agreed on the 7th of May 2018 to recommend the opening of the negotiations on the Mutual Recognition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Ar-chitects and Civil Engineers in a multilateral frame-work. Based on the recommendation of the Joint Working Group on Recognition of Professional Qual-ifications the governments of the WB6 are expected to provide the mandates and to appoint the Lead Negotiator, Deputy Lead Negotiator and the nego-tiation teams8. To facilitate the internal govern-mental procedures the RCC has provided the draft legal text of the Mutual Recognition Agreement of Professional Qualifications for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers.

Once the governments have completed the inter-nal governmental procedures they are to inform the RCC Secretary General. Once all WB6 have completed the procedures and have informed the RCC Secretary General the first meeting of the ne-gotiating teams will be called by the RCC where

the Rules of Procedures for the negotiations will be discussed. If all the governments complete their procedures and inform the RCC Secretary General thereof by the 30th of June 2018 as agreed, the first meeting of the negotiating teams could take place in July 2018.

In addition, Working Group on Recognition of Pro-fessional Qualifications also agreed to recommend to the governments to appoint a coordinator for the Database on Professional Qualifications in WB6 with a mandate to coordinate the data collection and submit the data to the Database on Professional Qualifications. To facilitate the establishment of the Database on Professional Qualifications in WB6 the RCC has contracted a service provider to create the Database on Professional Qualifications. The initial data for the Health and Construction sectors has already been collected by the RCC. Therefore, once the governments have appointed the coordi-nators for the Database on Professional Qualifica-tions the verification of the data, upon which the launching of Database depends, will be possible.

One of the key conclusions of the JWG on MRPQ was to ensure the alignment of the recognition models proposed in the MRA to the EU recognition model as established in the Directive 2005/36/EC on Pro-fessional Qualifications. Therefore, the regional negotiations and individual economies ‘efforts to transpose the Directive 2005/36/EC on Professional Qualifications are mutually reinforcing and enable building technical capacities of the administrations to conduct the negotiations and transpose and prepare for the implementation of the Directive 2005/36/EC on Professional Qualifications at the same time. However, to ensure this potential is ful-ly captured additional resources to support institu-tional capacity building and ensure expert support on the specificities of the Directive 2005/36/EC on Professional Qualifications through active support of the relevant line DGs (DG GROW) throughout the negotiations are indispensable.

Albania aims to amend the Law No. 10171 (of 22.10.2009.) on Regulated Professions to approxi-mate it with the Directive 2005/36/EC on Profes-sional Qualifications. To this end, a working group was established by the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth which will conduct a wide consulta-tions process and analyse the current procedures to identify possible issues to address by developing concrete mitigation measures.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has prepared a Roadmap for implementation of EU Directive on Regulated

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Professions 2005/36/EC adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Coordination institution and the contact point for the implemen-tation of the Directive on regulated professions at the level of BiH, as well as sub-coordination insti-tution and sub-contact points at entity, canton and Brcko District BiH were nominated in late last year in accordance with the Decision adopted by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina22. Two meetings of the coordinator, contact point, sub-coordination institution and sub-contact points were held (December 2017 and March 2018). To support capacity building of all relevant BiH insti-tutions the Ministry of Civil Affairs applied for TAIEX project Capacity-building for relevant institutions in BiH for transposition of EU Directive on regulated professions in the area of architecture and medi-cine to be held by the end of the year pending the necessary approvals.

In Kosovo*, on 28 October 2016, the Parliament of Kosovo* has approved the Law on Professional Qualifications (no. 05 / L-066) which is aligned with the Directive 2005/36 / EC on professional quali-fications. The Law on Regulated Professions ap-proved in 2016 has created the legal bases to open the negotiations on mutual recognition agreements of professional qualifications between Kosovo* and the other WB economies for Doctors of Medicine, Dentists, Architects and Civil Engineers in a mul-tilateral framework. Even though the need for in-stitutional capacity building on the recognition of professional qualifications and the relevant EU Di-rectives has been recognised, no institutional ca-pacity building has been secured in the past year.

In Montenegro, the draft version of the Law har-monised with Directive 2005/36 and amended Di-rective 2013/55 has been completed. The Law is to be adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro in the second quarter of 2018. The Law will enter into force with the accession of Montenegro into the EU. In accordance with the draft version of the Law a single point of contact will be established by the state administration authority competent for the economic affairs. Creation of the list of regulated professions will be carried out by the Ministry of La-bour and Social Affairs, using exercise of transpar-ency forms, in close cooperation with all relevant ministries which are obliged to deliver suggestions regarding the list of their regulated professions.

Having in mind the importance of the regional co-operation and following up on the agreed conclu-

22 Only nomination of sub-contact point from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska is missing.

sions of the Joint Working Group on Mutual Rec-ognition of Professional Qualifications, Montenegro has already conducted initial consultations on the negotiation teams with the relevant ministries and professional chambers. For the time being the rec-ognition of all diplomas and qualifications, regu-lated or not, permanent stay or temporary stay, is carried out in accordance with the uniform Law on the Recognition of Foreign Educational Credentials and Qualifications Equivalence.

Serbia has prepared a Draft Law on Recognition of Professional Qualifications23. Serbia prepared a pre-liminary list of regulated professions and the data-base for mutual recognition of professional quali-fications has been developed, based on an open source solution that can be installed on any future platform. Furthermore, in order to ensure a system that shall provide minimum training conditions for occupations where an automatic system has been envisaged, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development has sent a factsheet to all relevant institutions so that they may harmonise their curricula with the prerequisites laid down in Directive 2005/36/EC. Analysis of this document is under way.

In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the Law on Recognition of Professional Qualification was adopted in 2010. A draft Law and draft by-laws on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications aligned with the Directives 2005/36/EC, 2013/55/EU have been prepared, as well as recommenda-tions for harmonisation of the relevant legislation and alignment of the domestic educational pro-grammes with the minimum training requirements for the professions that are automatically recog-nised. The draft list of regulated professions has been completed. The database and software (web-site) for mutual recognition of professional quali-fications have been developed, based on an open source solution that can be installed on any future platform. The registry at this moment is incom-plete, but the input of the information into the database is planned to start after the transfer of the website into the Ministry’s data centre. Fur-thermore, the institutional capacities of the Inter-Ministerial Group and other relevant actors in the implementation process of the Law on Mutual Rec-ognition of Professional Qualifications have been strengthened through extensive awareness and training activities; including a production of video

23 The Working Group has 16 members (of which 12 are representatives of relevant ministries and 2 are representatives of the Bureau of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development).

recorded training materials for an online e-learning platform for future generations of newly recruited staff in institutions with an active role in the imple-mentation of the Law and bylaws on Recognition of Professional Qualifications.

With regards to the preparations for the opening of the negotiations on the MRA, the Ministry of Educa-tion and Science has continuous coordination with all relevant institutions and professional organisa-tions, especially with those professional organisa-tions responsible for the five regulated professions that are stipulated by the JWG MRPQ for the future Mutual Recognition Agreement.

Policy: III.3. Mobility of students and highly skilled

Objective: III.3.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications The planned actions on removing obstacles to rec-ognition of academic qualifications are ahead of scheduled timeline. The deepened regional coop-eration on recognition of academic qualifications was reinforced by additional domestic efforts to shorten, simplify and create “student-friendly” procedures for recognition of academic qualifica-tions. Therefore, advanced progress in the region can be noted.

The regional and domestic efforts to remove the obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications are particularly timely as the European Higher Edu-cation Area Ministerial Conference that took place during May 2018 reinforced the importance of rec-ognition of academic qualifications24 and as the EU is preparing a Communication of Recognition of Academic Qualifications to be endorsed by the EU Council during the Austrian Presidency of the EU.

At the regional level, the Working Group on Recog-nition of Academic Qualifications has been formal-ised in December 2017. The Working Group on Rec-ognition of Academic Qualifications operationalised and set forward an ambitious timeline to achieve the objectives set out by the MAP REA ahead of the initial schedule.

Since December 2017, the Working Group on Rec-ognition of Academic Qualifications has agreed to launch the joint exercise on recognition of aca-demic qualifications with an objective to identify similarities/differences in recognition of foreign degrees; to analyse and discuss the differences and to suggest further joint action to decrease the dif-

24 http://www.ehea2018.paris/Data/ElFinder/s2/Communique/EHEAParis2018-Communique-final.pdf

ferences based on which Joint Guides on Recogni-tion of Academic Qualifications will be prepared. Different models for the recognition of academic qualifications have been discussed by the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications. An initial set of principles for recognition of aca-demic qualifications has been discussed and is to be finalised at the next meeting of the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications.

In addition, to facilitate information exchange and increase transparency and cooperation in recogni-tion of academic qualifications, a regional dialogue and regular meetings of the ENIC/NARIC centres and the Quality Assurance Agencies in the WB6 have been established.

Furthermore, the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications has agreed on an initial concept of the joint online system to share infor-mation, including on higher education institutions, qualifications and decisions taken, available to ENIC/NARIC centres and Ministries responsible for higher education in the WB6 which puts the process significantly ahead of the proposed schedule.

At the domestic level, all of the legislation is aligned with the Lisbon Recognition Convention and all of the ENIC/NARIC centres are members of the European network of the ENIC/NARIC centres apart from Kosovo*. Majority of the economies have been investing additional efforts to further simplify and create “student-friendly” recognition procedures over the past year.

In Albania, the secondary legislation on diploma recognition issued by Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth was further improved in January 2018. The number of the required documents for the di-ploma recognition was reduced to just 4 (the same for the PhD) and the procedure of diploma recog-nition was further simplified by creating an online application procedure for applicants.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BiH Centre for In-formation and Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education (CIP) conducted a comprehensive analysis of regulation on recognition of academic qualifications and found that the practice of nostri-fication continues to be implemented, contrary to the Lisbon Recognition Convention. Furthermore, the established legislative framework is incoher-ent, in key recognition issues, and still lacking in other important issues in the area of recognition (for example, joint degrees, regulated professions, non-formal education and informal learning, recog-nition of qualifications for refugees and displaced

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persons, etc.). CIP provided several recommen-dations to support the competent recognition au-thorities to mitigate some of the identified issues. Furthermore, through the EU funded STINT project a model for recognition of academic qualifications at public higher education institutions has been de-veloped and presented in all public higher educa-tion institutions together with training of staff on recognition of academic qualifications.

In Montenegro, initial discussions have taken place with regards to possible changes to create more ef-fective and simplified recognition procedures, es-pecially with regards to the issue of qualification equivalence. Furthermore, Montenegro is in the process of creation of a database of recognition decisions with a clear overview of all recognition applications classified per origin, type of HEI, study programme, type of qualification, etc. The on-line system will facilitate recognition procedures and will be very useful for the planned joint regional online system of cooperation. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has already established an automatic recognition procedure for some academ-ic qualifications in an effort to simplify the recog-nition processes. In this regard the recognition is automatic for qualifications awarded by the higher education institutions in top 500 on the Shanghai ranking list and the Times Higher Education rank-ing. Furthermore, to facilitate the recognition process in WB6 The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has signed Mutual Agreements for Rec-ognition of Qualifications with Serbia, entered in force on 22/09/2016, and with Albania, entered in force on 16/02/2002.

To support the procedures for recognition within the EHEA, several tools have been developed in the framework of the Bologna process. The National Qualifications Frameworks help to identify “the relation between the different levels of a national educational system and its main types of qualifi-cations and provide generic learning outcomes for all NQF levels.” (EAR HEI 2016: 102). In Kosovo*, Montenegro and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the NQF has been established through relevant legislation and respective QFs have been referenced to the European Qualifications Frame-work (EQF) and self-certified against the qualifica-tions framework of the EHEA. In Albania the Law on the Albanian Qualifications Framework (AQF) was adopted in 2010 and is aligned with developments in the EU.25 However, the NQF has not yet been certified and self-referenced towards the EQF. In

25 https://www.ehea.info/pid34250-cid101090/albania.html

Serbia the Law on the NQF came into force only recently in April 2018.

In addition, the Diploma Supplement describes the qualification and the education system it belongs to, helping to further understand the qualifica-tion and thus facilitating its recognition (EAR HEI 2016: 96). With regard to the Diploma Supplement, it seems that majority of higher education institu-tions in the WB6 are issuing the Diploma Supple-ment, however it remains unclear to which extent are the HEIs issuing DS automatically, free of charge and in English language as agreed within the Bolo-gna framework.

It is important to note that within the Bologna framework an Advisory Group on the Revision of the Diploma Supplement (DS) has been established with a mandate to make recommendations to the Council of Europe, the European Commission and UNESCO in reviewing the Diploma Supplement, in cooperation with stakeholders. The Advisory Group prepared a comprehensive proposal for revision of the Diploma Supplement which aims to streamline the Diploma Supplement to include references to learning outcomes, as well as information on in-ternships and mobility experiences, references to extracurricular learning achievements and the recognition of prior learning, and recommended to the HEIs to embark on the digitalisation of DS and student data exchange, with a commitment to collect student data in a secure, machine-readable format, in line with data protection legislation. The recommendations of the Advisory Group have been endorsed by the European Higher Education Area Ministers in Paris on 25 May 2018. In the light of the European-level developments, the Working Group on Recognition of Academic Qualifications has agreed to kick-off a joint exercise on Diploma Supplement implementation in the WB6 to facili-tate preparation for the implementation of the re-vised Diploma Supplement in the region following the Ministerial agreements made in Paris.

Quality assurance of HEIs and study programmes is the underlying foundation of the recognition pro-cess. All of the WB6 have established QA bodies, but currently only CAQA – Commission for Accredi-tation and Quality Assurance of Serbia is registered in European Quality Assurance Register. However, the domestic legislation for higher education has undergone significant changes in the past year in Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Re-public of Macedonia. In all three economies the new legislation envisages establishment of full-fledged Agencies for Quality Assurance in line with

the European Standards and Guidelines for Qual-ity Assurance. Kosovo* Accreditation Agency (KAA) functions as an independent agency since 2008, and uses Standards and Guidelines for Quality As-surance based on ESG 2015.

Obstacles and challenges The Mobility agenda has seen dynamic progress, in particular in reaching the key milestone in re-moving obstacles to recognition of professional and academic qualifications. Further implementation will require increased administrative capacities of the authorities involved in the two processes. To support the implementation, technical assistance to build further the domestic institutional capaci-ties will be needed. However, more importantly, the two processes open possibilities to support syn-ergies with the European processes, domestic ef-forts to transpose the relevant EU acquis and to integrate further into the existing European institu-tions. To enable the positive spill-overs and release the potential of the multiplying effects contained in these two agendas it is essential to ensure addi-tional financial resources and technical assistance to add on activities which would enable these ef-fects (for instance in supporting the development of the QA systems, their alignment with the ESG and registration of QA bodies from the WB in the EQAR). The recognition agenda benefited from the existing operationalised work plans, a similar joint work plan is missing in the agenda on the Mobility of Researchers. This is partly due to the nature of the actions, which are predominantly in domain of individual economies. However, benefits could be drawn from a joint work plan which would support further the efforts made at the level of individual economies. The main challenges to the implemen-tation of the actions outlined in the Mobility of Re-searchers of MAP relate to availability of technical assistance to implement some of the actions put forward in MAP, as specified below, and lack of cap-ital investment into research infrastructure.

The challenges in implementing mobility compo-nent measures entail:

� The research systems are specific and varied across the region. This poses challenges to creating a joint operational action plan to address the identified challenges as majority of the actions outlined in the Mobility of Researchers requires targeted domestic measures. However, the potential for joint actions where they can reinforce the measures undertaken at level of individual economies should not be missed.

� The level of harmonisation of the domestic legislation with the respective EU acquis on recognition of professional qualifications is uneven across WB6. This poses challenges to the dynamics of the planned negotiations in particular if the EU model of recognition is to be fully applied in the WB. On the other hand, it creates an uneven level playing filled with regards to technical preparation and capacity of the relevant institutions to conduct the negotiations.

� The pace of change of the European and domestic strategic and legislative frameworks across all three policy areas of the Mobility component of MAP is extremely high. This provides real opportunities for MAP actions to reinforce the individual efforts to modernise their research and education systems and contributes significantly to full integration of the WB6 into the EU and European frameworks. This also creates additional pressures to ensure that the MAP actions are always fully aligned and up to date with all the developments.

� WB6 need to increase their exposure to EU programmes and initiatives – there are actions intended to facilitate the participation of WB6 in several EU programmes, initiatives and institutions. In relation to the next generation of EU programmes, there are ample opportunities to formulate joint positions and the existing regional fora should be used by the governments. However, to ensure that the full potential of these opportunities is used, a proactive and positive response by EU institutions and other potential partners is essential.

Recommendations and next stepsThis section provides main recommendations and next steps for all objectives under the MAP REA Mobility component. The recommendations repre-sent the next steps needed to implement the Mo-bility component and are aligned with the agreed operationalised work programmes and conclusions of operational Working Groups responsible for the implementation of the MAP Mobility component. The recommendations also take into consideration that the measures foreseen for the reporting period have been fulfilled.

Policy: III.1. Mobility of Researchers

Objective: III.1.1. Removal of obstacles to mobility of researchers

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� Consider operationalisation of a regional work programme on Mobility of Researchers to ensure the full potential of regional cooperation is utilised to reinforce the continuing domestic efforts.

� Consider preparing a joint Western Balkan position on the next generation of the EU FP9 programme.

Policy: III.2. Mobility of Professionals

Objective: III.2.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of professional qualifications

� Complete internal governmental procedures to open negotiations and appoint negotiating teams by 30 June 2018. Inform the RCC Secretary General of their position on opening negotiations and of the composition of their negotiating teams by the 30th of June 2018.

� Following the information on the appointments of the negotiating teams the RCC will convene the first meeting of the negotiators.

� Following the appointment of the negotiating teams the JWG on MRPQ will seize to exist.

� Ensure technical support of the relevant line DGs (DG GROW) throughout the negotiations.

� Explore possibilities to support institutional capacity building on the relevant EU acquis (the Directive on professional qualifications) to ensure technical capacity to conduct the negotiations and reinforce efforts to transpose the EU acquis at the level of individual economies.

Policy: III.3. Mobility of students and highly-skilled

Objective: III.3.1. Removal of obstacles to recognition of academic qualifications

� Finalise the concept of automatic recognition model for the WB6 by the end of 2018.

� Finalise the concept and launch the joint information system on recognition of academic qualifications by the end of 2018.

� Continue the joint exercise on recognition of academic qualifications.

� Kick-off the joint exercise on Diploma Supplement implementation by the end of 2018.

� Ensure technical support of the relevant line DGs (DG EAC) throughout the process to ensure alignment with the EU developments on recognition of academic qualifications.

� Explore opportunities for a comprehensive action to support the development of quality assurance systems across WB6 as an underlying condition for fast track and automatic recognition of academic qualifications.

1.6 DIGITAL INTEGRATIONOverall state of play/progress The objective of the MAP REA digital agenda-relat-ed actions is to integrate the region into the pan-European digital market on the basis of a future-proof digitisation strategy, an updated regulatory environment, improved broadband infrastructure and access as well as digital literacy. Embracing digital transformation, ensuring greater availability of digital infrastructure, and enabling better regu-latory framework and level playing field can help our region grow, increase the convergence rates with the EU, improve the business environment and encourage cross-border services; thus offering bet-ter life for the citizens.

The Western Balkan Enlargement Strategy puts great emphasis on WB6 Digital Agenda - being one of its flagships - and reconfirmed interest and in-volvement of EC in implementing this agenda. Moreover, the unprecedented dedication and work of Commissioner Gabriel and EC services has put the WB6 Digital Agenda in focus of EC work, making significant strides in integrating WB in EU’s current initiatives and frameworks such as the Western Bal-kans Investment Framework, the Broadband Com-petence Office Network, the Cross-border Digital Internship Scheme, the Digital Skills and Jobs Coa-lition, EU’s Code week initiative, etc.

The EU-Western Balkan Summit declaration reaf-firmed the importance of the WB6 Digital Agenda for the regional integration, having digital agenda included in the Sofia Priority Agenda and the State-ment of support for the Digital Agenda of WB6 en-dorsed by the WB6 Leaders. Moreover, during the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia EU announced fol-low-up actions in the area of connectivity, includ-ing €30 million in technical assistance for digital projects in the region. The Western Balkan Digital Agenda was launched during the Digital Assembly on 25-26 June 2016 to support the digital transfor-mation of the WB6 and prepare the region to inte-grate better into the EU Digital Market.

The MAP REA digital agenda is aligned to a great extent with strategic documents in particular with

the Economic Reform Programmes, as the key mid-term economic policy coordination documents. However, the EC assessment of ERPs highlights the need for WB6 economies to further focus on digi-tal agenda-related reform measures within ERPs. Some of the WB6 economies have prioritised digi-tal investment projects within their national single project pipelines (NSSPS).

The recently launched OECD Competitiveness Out-look 2018 recognises the positive steps undertaken by WB6 in expanding broadband and increasing access to e-business and e-commerce. Moreover, the analyses show that WB6 rank closely alongside the Central Europe and Baltics (CEB) in the Net-work Readiness Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

In addition, Network Readiness Index (NRI)26 for WB6 ranges from the lowest 3.0 points to the high-est 4.4 points in the Global Information Technol-ogy Report 2016; Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) - index 2017 - measured by Serbia is 0.3658, ranking it at 27 place; Cybersecurity Index 201727 shows that Bosnia and Herzegovina is at initiating stage while Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are at ma-turing stage.

The Balkan Barometer 2018 shows that half of the WB6 business community is satisfied with the digi-tal services across WB6 and compared to the last year there is a notable improvement in this con-text. On the contrary, in comparison with 2016 sur-vey results, public satisfaction with social life and accessibility of public services via a digital channel (online services, website, smartphone app) is sig-nificantly lower. For 38% of the public across WB6 the skills needed to be learnt or improved are pri-marily those related to digital/ICT competences.

The 2018 EU Enlargement report underlines that Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-edonia are at moderate level of preparedness in chapter 10 of the EU ac-

26 World Economic Forum – Network Readiness Index measure the performance in leveraging information and communications technologies to boost competitiveness, innovation and well-being, on a scale from 1 to 7 points27 ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2017

quis with Kosovo* and Bosnia and Herzegovina fol-lowing behind.

The WB6 Digital Summit which took place on 18-19 April 2018, in Skopje - the first ever organised in this format – reconfirmed the expressed willingness and commitment of WB6 to work on a regional digi-tal agenda for the benefits of its citizens and the region as a whole. The conclusions of the Digital Summit reaffirmed the commitment of WB6 to work on: digital skills, trust and security, digital connec-tivity and digital economy and society.

The reporting from WB6 on MAP REA state of im-plementation in the Digital Integration Component shows that WB6 are at a varied level of implemen-tation and preparation in the digital agenda (please see figure 4), less prepared in developing digitals skills and more advanced in roaming policy coordi-nation and promotion of the uptake of smart tech-nologies – although the scoring of the later is posi-tively affected by the successful completion of the WB6 Digital Summit and finalisation of the industry-led study “The Impact of Digital Transformation on the Western Balkans – Tackling the Challenges to-wards Political Stability and Economic Prosperity” rather than by any more comprehensive digitisation advances in WB6.

The results of the study suggest that the process of digital transformation of societies is growth-en-hancing for WB6. Hence, 10 percent increase in the digitisation index is associated with 0.63 percent of GDP growth; 1 percent increase in the digitisation index corresponds to 0.67 percent and 2.12 percent greater productivity in services and manufacturing; 1 percent digital transformation corresponds to 1.16 percent increase in employment.

Figure 4: Digital Integration - State of Preparedness of MAP REA Implementation in WB6 at the Level of Policies/Objectives

0

01

2

3

4

5

IV.1. Digital environment networks and

services connectivity and access

IV.2. Trustand security indigital services

IV.3. Digitaleconomy

and society

IV.4. Digitaleconomy andsociety, data

economy, standards and interoperability,

innovation

2.5 2.52.0

2.9

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WB6 have moderately advanced in harmonising do-mestic legislation with the respective EU acquis in the area of electronic communications, as part of the EU integration agenda. However, the monitor-ing of MAP REA implementation does not asses the level of compliance with the respective EU acquis but only takes note on completion of the legislative process.

The regional deliverables in digital agenda, facili-tated by RCC and jointly agreed by WB6 to be com-pleted prior to the upcoming high-level Summits in Sofia and London, are successfully implemented (please see Table 4).

Table 4: State of Play of the RCC-facilitated regional deliverables

Deliverables Output indicatorStructured high level regional political dialogue on WB6 digitisation through Annual WB6 Digital Summits based on full WB6 ownership and government-industry collaboration

Western Balkans Digital Summit held in Skopje, on 18-19 April 2018.

Strengthened cybersecurity capacities and enhanced regional cooperation amongst WB6 CSIRTs

RCC networked the CSIRTs from the Western Balkans and extended capacity building to their representatives. A regional project proposal on cybersecurity capacity building is prioritised in the SEE 2020 Programming Document 2018-2020 and presented in the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination.

Commitment to reduce roaming prices (intra WB and WB-EU)

Statement of support for the digital agenda for the Western Balkans endorsed at the occasion of the EU-WB6 Summit: “WB Leaders have agreed to support and facilitate the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region”and“To support the implementation of a roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming, between the Western Balkans and the European Union” RCC commissioned Study to assess the impact of lowering roaming prices

Western Balkans is integrated in EU programmes and initiatives

Technical assistance for digital projects within WBIF

Western Balkans is integrated in Broadband Competence Office, digital cross-border traineeship initiative, EU’s Code week initiative;

At the EU-WB Summit in Sofia EU announced €30 million in technical assistance for digital projects, including broadband within WEBIF/IPA

Annual ICT regulatory dialogue WB6-EC launched First meeting of Western Balkan Regulators and BEREC was held on 15 June 2018

Digital Agenda for Western Balkans Launched on 25 June 2018 during the Digital Assembly

Scaled-up regional interventions on digital literacy and skills

To be announced during the London Summit

State of implementation at objective levelPolicy IV.1. Digital environment networks and services, connectivity and access

Objective IV.1.1. Boost digital infrastructure development and regional connectivity, while creating a level playing field for digital networks and services to flourishThe progress in transposing the EU Broadband Cost Reduction Directive is uneven; Albania and The For-mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have already transposed it while the other three economies are at preparation stage. Montenegro plans to advance with the transposition during 2018 and adopt it by 2019, Kosovo* has prepared a first draft and TAIEX mission is foreseen to be held during 2018 to sup-port with the screening and Serbia is at preparation phase.

The preparation of the broadband infrastructure mapping is ongoing in all economies. Albania is in the process of updating the atlas of broadband in-frastructure; Montenegro started the process of mapping and advancement is expected in 2018; Serbia completed the mobile mapping and the fixed broadband mapping, as part of the new Law on Elec-tronic Communications, currently in the process of adoption; Kosovo* extended the broadband infra-structure – 4 pilot projects launched and contracts signed - 3 additional pilots expected to be launched by mid-2018 and Electronic Atlas on Broadband Tel-ecommunication Infrastructure is in the process of updating; in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-edonia, the National Operational Broadband Plan is expected to be completed during 2018 and the mapping of current NGA infrastructure and identi-fying the areas for intervention (white zones) are finalised. There is good prospect for the broadband mapping to have mature advancement during 2018 in all WB6 economies although the action is to be completed by 2020.

Digital connectivity necessitates outstanding capi-tal investment in broadband, both from the national budgets as well as from private investors. There are some efforts underway in Albania and Serbia to as-sess overall capital investment needs in broadband infrastructure while in The Former Yugoslav Repub-lic of Macedonia the efforts are concentrated on assessing future public investment in areas where no commercial interest exists (so-called white are-as). Moreover, digital has become an eligible sector for WBIF funding as of its last Steering Committee

meeting, with the first digital application endorsed at the WBIF SC meeting in June 2018. The EU an-nounced EUR 30 million support to develop digital projects, including broadband.

The regional dialogue and exchange on business and PPP models to address low connectivity and commercialisation of the spare fibre optic assets is at an early stage. On the annual International Regu-latory Conference 201828 dialogue for strengthening cooperation amongst the regulatory authorities in the region related to the latest developments in the ICT sector and boosting broadband access was established. Although there are developments in each economy in this regard, there is a need to fur-ther improve regional cooperation to share experi-ence and similarities amongst the WB6 economies. In Serbia, the EBRD-led project launched in 2016 will support identification of cost needed for fur-ther broadband development – including potential business/financing models for development. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia intends to establish BCO to improve broadband connectivity in rural areas. In addition, the economy-level intra-sectoral dialogue has been established, especially in view of the ongoing World Bank’s study. Mapping of potential spare optic fibre in almost all econo-mies has been undertaken and awareness on the need to optimise their use has increased. There is a need though to establish a proper regional dia-logue upon the completion of the World Bank study, which should provide information and identify com-mercial models for addressing spare fibre capaci-ties.

Four out of six regulators from WB6 have an ob-server status to BEREC and their dialogue within the context of BEREC is improving. There is a need though to define proper mechanisms for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* to become associated in this dialogue. Ways to strengthen the regional di-alogue amongst WB6 regulators as part of BEREC need to be explored and further strengthened. The first BEREC-Western Balkan meeting was held in the margins of the BEREC plenary session on 15 June 2018 discussing the possible cooperation between BEREC, EU National Regulatory Authorities and WB National Regulatory Authorities. The first meet-ing focused on regulatory issues and may lead to follow-up activities aiming to share knowledge, ex-pertise and the best practice.

28 http://www.aec.mk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2247&Itemid=465&lang=mk - organised by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Republic of Macedonia, on 15-16 of May 2018

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The regional interconnection and integration into pan-European GÉANT is not complete - Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* are not integrated in GÉ-ANT yet while in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia only one university is integrated in the network - two more state universities are to be connected through MARNET to GÉANT in 2018. Al-though regional interconnection and integration is to be completed by 2023, advancement/improve-ment can be reached through regional actions. To this end, a proposal on cross-border connectivity of WB NRENs is prioritised in the SEE2020 Program-ming Document 2018-2020 – to be further devel-oped should assistance be secured.

Objective IV.1.2. Harmonise spectrum policy to ensure timely and efficient availability and boost deployment of standardised 5G networksWB6 economies are at an uneven level of prepara-tion in spectrum policy harmonisation. Regulatory and institutional frameworks that provide for ef-ficient overall spectrum management are in place across the region – with uneven development in freeing up frequencies. Albania, Bosnia and Her-zegovina and Kosovo* have not completed the DSO process; in Albania, it is expected that 70% of the population will be covered with digital service by mid-2018; in Montenegro -700 MHz is free and available for mobile radio communication service; in Kosovo*, the tendering to allow the use of cur-rently unused mobile spectrum is underway.

Broader coordination on radio spectrum issues takes place within RSPG regional group, SEDDIF as well as within WRC-19 preparatory process. A mul-tilateral framework agreement between all SEDDIF members (with the exception of Albania) is already signed in December 2017. Initial regional dialogue on spectrum policy harmonisation took place at the Western Balkans Roaming Policy Meeting, held in April 2018 in Brussels. Good progress is being made in 5G in Montenegro – speeds for 5G prepared and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – sec-ondary legislation to implement 5G technology prepared. Upon request from Albania, a dedicated meeting on spectrum policy harmonisation and WB6 readiness for 5G networks was held on 12 June 2018 in Prague, back-to-back with ITU Regional Develop-ment Forum for Europe.

On World Radio Conference (WRC) participation and cooperation, economies participate indepen-dently in WRC’s work. Kosovo*, not part of WRC, has expressed interest to participate in its work

and other regional groups related to spectrum policy management. Yet, no regional discussion has started on having potential regional positions on aspects of joint interest on WRC, CEPT/ECO. WB6 part-took for the first time at the COM-ITU/CEPT Meeting, held in Prague on 12 June 2018.

Objective IV. 1.3. Coordinate roaming policies towards a roaming free economic areaGood progress is being made in harmonising region-al roaming policies. Regional Roaming Agreement amongst 4 economies (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugoslav Re-public of Macedonia) is successfully implemented29. The WB6 Roaming Policy meeting held in Brussels on 5th April 2018 underlined the trends in the 4 participating economies, highlighting the need to focus more on data rather than voice. Moreover, the WB6 confirmed their willingness to extend the scope of the agreement and work on a new succes-sor agreement, potentially with provisions of RLAH within WB6. Experience of EU in particular for RLAH model will be further explored and used. Al-bania and Kosovo* have expressed their willingness to join RRA and official letters to inform other 4 economies are submitted. Technical and procedural consultations will follow in this regard. Moreover, WB6 have committed to support and facilitate the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans re-gion and implementation of a roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming between the Western Balkans and the European Union30.

WB6 economies discuss coordination of roaming policy in regular regional meetings and there is an expressed willingness and need to continue this di-alogue, in the future, with the help and facilitation of RCC and EU.

RCC has commissioned a study to assess the impact of abolishment of roaming charges with the EU, with the consultancy procurement finalised and the first findings and results already prepared. A Roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming, based on voluntary commercial agreement and made in an inclusive approach, as part of the Enlargement Strategy’s WB6 Digital Agenda will be prepared by

29 The wholesale and retail prices were reduced at the level of Roaming III Regulation (i.e. Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2012 on roaming on public mobile communications networks within the Union Text with EEA relevance)30 The Statement of support for the digital agenda for the Western Balkans endorsed at the occasion of the EU-WB6 Summit

EC. There are series of roundtables and discussions organised by Commissioner Gabriel with the opera-tors to support the process of roadmap preparation. The Digital Agenda for Western Balkans, launched on 25 June 2018, will cover lowering the cost of roaming, deployment of broadband, development of e-Government, e-Procurement, e-Health, and digital skills, capacity building in digital trust and security, in parallel to efforts to enhance digitali-sation of industries, adoption, implementation and enforcement of the acquis (see also the figure be-low).

Policy IV.2. Trust and security in digital services

Objective IV.2.1. Enhance Cyber Security, trust services and data protectionThe WB6 economies have adopted relevant policies and legislation for privacy (Directive (2002/58/EC), data protection and digital security. Albania, Ko-sovo*, Montenegro and Serbia have adopted dedi-cated cybersecurity strategies while The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is at final stages of approval. No uniform progress in implementa-tion of the strategies amongst WB6 is noted. The EU Network and Information Security Directive (NIS) is transposed in Albania and Serbia. Montenegro partially implemented NIS Directive31 whilst other economies are in process of preparation and/or in public consultation phase. WB6 lacks the capaci-ties to implement the requirements of Annex 1 of the NIS Directive, thus a proposal on capacity build-

31 CSIRT Team was established, Law on Information Security has been adopted, critical information infrastructure was defined and two cybersecurity strategies have been adopted, 1st 2013-2017, 2nd 2018-2021

ing in the area of cybersecurity is prioritised in the SEE2020 Programming Document 2018-2020.

Process of critical IT infrastructure identification and the respective legislative approval is ongoing: Albania and Kosovo* already adopted the legisla-tive acts on critical IT infrastructure; Serbia has identified and adopted the list of ICT systems of particular importance for the public interest, and adopted and implemented internal procedures to report significant incidents; in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia many of the critical infra-structure operators were identified, but there is no official decision on identification of critical IT infrastructure; and in Montenegro the Methodology and its Action Plan for selecting critical informa-tion infrastructure have been adopted - critical sectors and services as well as critical information systems were defined, the Decree on measures for the protection of critical information infrastructure in accordance with the Amendments to the Law on Information Security is to be adopted in the third quarter of 2018. There is no explicit input from the economies on the level of protection of critical IT infrastructure.

All WB6 have established Computer Security In-cident Response Teams (CSIRTs). Although under-developed and lacking capacity, CSIRTs from WB6 have participated in different bilateral or regional events in the area of cybersecurity. CSIRT from The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has signed memorandums of understanding with the CSIRTs from Kosovo* and Albania and regarding other gov-ernment CSIRTs from WB economies the signing of MoUs is ongoing. Albania is also working on having MoUs with other CSIRTs.

RCC networked the CSIRTs from the Western Bal-kans and provided capacity building to their rep-resentatives. The discussion in this regional format will continue and the discussion will be further for-malised through the establishment of permanent groups in the area of cybersecurity with members from ICT ministries and Regulators. A Regional Con-ference of CSIRTs proposed by The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is to be organised in Octo-ber 2018, during the European Cybersecurity month and will gather representatives and heads of all the CSIRTs from the broader region, including all WB6 economies.

Following on the WB6 Digital Summit conclusions, RCC has recently established communication with ENISA in an effort to facilitate WB6 participation in ENISA activities.

FOCUS AREAS OF THEDIGITAL AGENDA FORWESTERN BALKANS

LOWERINGROAMING CHARGES

CONNECTIVITY

CYBERSECURITY, TRUSTAND DIGITALISATION OFINDUSTRY

DIGITAL ECONOMY &SOCIETY

RESEARCH &INNOVATION

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Policy IV.3. Digital economy and society, Inclusive digital society

Objective IV.3.1. Develop and strengthen supply of digital skills

The need to address digital skills development is commonly recognised by WB6. The digital economy allows and encourages remote work and it opens up a world of opportunities for young people, wom-en and disadvantaged groups and the society as a whole. The effort should be focused to identify skills necessary for government leaders, civil serv-ants, and other citizens, especially women, youth and disadvantaged groups and private sector to ac-quire digital economy competencies.

The progress in developing digital skills across WB6 is uneven although some attempts to develop digi-tal skills programmes exist. Hence, Serbia is at the final stage of approval of the Digital Skill Develop-ment Strategy and the Action Plan for IT Industry Development is approved; Kosovo* has undertaken a study on digital skills with the support of the World Bank aiming to develop a programme focus-ing on young people; Albania has addressed digital skills as part the Strategy for Secondary Education. In The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, National Comprehensive Education Strategy 2018-2025 was adopted in January 2018, where one of the priorities is ensuring widespread use of ICT in education, training and digital literacy at all lev-els (i.e. pre-school, primary education, secondary education, vocational education and trainings, uni-versity, etc.) and a new Law on Mathematics and Information Gymnasium was adopted in April 2018. A proposal on digital skills and competences is pri-oritised within the SEE2020 Programming Document 2018-2020. WB6 Digital Summit also recognised the need to work on digital skills programmes - reaf-firming the interest towards integration within the EU Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition, by endorsing the objectives and principles of the Coalition.

Some of the economies have invested efforts in training and increase of knowledge in digital skill for targeted groups. In Kosovo*, Ministry of Eco-nomic Development supported by the World Bank implemented the project Women in Online Work (WoW) – trainings were carried out for unemployed and under-employed young women in 5 munici-palities, and additional trainings are carried out through the support of USAID and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, with plans of the Government to scale up the work; Serbia is at an advanced stage of preparing a dedicated Digital Skills Strategy; The

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is prepar-ing a National ICT Strategy – roadmap to be final-ised in August 2018 and the draft of the strategy by December 2018 – and has conducted trainings for basic IT skills and advanced IT skills for the unem-ployed.

There are also mature projects targeting digital skills to be implemented in some economies: in Ko-sovo* a 3 MEUR EU IPA 2017 project is being rolled out to develop capacities for digital economy and support for digital businesses; in The Former Yugo-slav Republic of Macedonia trainings for advanced IT skills under IPA projects are ongoing - the first cen-tre in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the region, HubIT, under USAID Social Inclusion Project, was opened in Skopje, offering services to young people with disabilities and enabling them to start careers in the IT sector; in Serbia the Gov-ernment offers incentives to NGOs providing digital upskilling for women – as part of the IT Industry De-velopment Strategy and is funding projects to train retirees in ICT during the first half of 2018. Finally, the World Bank is currently mobilising resources to implement a WB6 wide project dealing with digital skills and scaled-up regional interventions in digital literacy and skills to be launched during the London Summit.

Policy IV.4. Digitization, Data economy, Standards and Interoperability, Innovation

Objective IV.4.1. Promote uptake of Smart Technologies and Accelerate DigitizationThe WB6 High-level Digital Summit organised on 18-19 April 2018, in Skopje - the first ever in this format – reconfirmed willingness and commitment of WB6 to work on a regional digital agenda for the benefit of its citizens and economies. This Summit established a structured high-level regional politi-cal dialogue on WB6 digitisation - based on full WB6 ownership and government-industry collaboration and reconfirmed the commitment to engage in a permanent dialogue in this area. Prominent speak-ers from the region, EU institutions, international organisations, academia, civil society and success-ful businesses offered a great platform for discus-sion on all aspects of digital transformation of the WB6 and underlined the challenges ahead. Through the Digital Summit conclusions, the WB6 commit-ted to work on digital skills, trust and security, digi-tal connectivity and digital economy and society. The next Digital Summit will be held in Serbia and RCC will support its co-organisation.

The industry-led study The Impact of Digital Trans-formation on the Western Balkans –Tackling the Challenges towards Political Stability and Economic Prosperity was presented during the WB6 Digital Summit. The extent to which the study’s recom-mendations will be translated in domestic policies or regional actions will be discussed within regional mechanisms.

With respect to Data Economy, except for Koso-vo*, all WB6 economies are members of the Open Government Partnership initiative. Discussion on regional coordination on OPG can be further pro-moted through regional mechanism, such as the e-Government Working Group operating under ReS-PA’s auspices, with a view of jointly formulating fu-ture activities in areas that include e-Government/Open Government/Open Data, and e-Participation.

Currently, all WB6 economies have established forms of central portals for open data and regular updates of data are carried out. The data in the upgraded central open data portal of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia can be exchanged with the Central Europe open data portal and may be available to any interested WB6 economy; in Al-bania the central portal offers 550 online services to businesses and citizens, a policy on open data is adopted in February 2018 and a special agency on open dialogue established during 2017; Kosovo* has already established a central portal that aims to improve public services and increase public integri-ty. No regional dialogue exists as of yet on potential regional exchange of data.

All WB6 economies have adopted e-authentica-tion frameworks and made progress in improving their e-authentication schemes. In addition, WB6 economies have different level of harmonisation of domestic legislation with eIDAS regulation, with Albania, Serbia and Montenegro having already transposed eIDAS in new laws, and in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the new draft law is in the process of public consultation. E-govern-ment services are gradually being aligned with the National Interoperability Frameworks which are functional in Albania, The Former Yugoslav Repub-lic of Macedonia, recently approved in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to a certain extent in Serbia where e-government services are not yet deployed on the e-NIF framework. A regional project intervention on the cross-border recognition of the certificates with e-signature is jointly prioritised by WB6 in the SEE 2020 Programming Document 2018-2020.

Across the region there are several digital hubs and innovation parks. Most have been developed with

donor funding (including EU, the World Bank, GIZ, USAID and other bilateral donors), private sector funding, or both. The pan-European network of Dig-ital Innovation Hubs Catalogue Project lists around 20 hubs from the region and provides opportunities for cooperation, as do Horizon 2020 and EU Ter-ritorial and Cross-border Programmes. The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has a Fund for Inno-vation and Technology Development for supporting innovative projects; feasibility study for establish-ment of Science and Technology Park in The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has started. Addi-tionally, the project innovation ecosystem in the cross-border area has commenced as part of the IPA 2 Cross-Border Programme between The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Albania. Ser-bia has also set up an innovation fund while other economies have started introducing different inno-vation voucher schemes on a smaller scale.

Obstacles and challenges The implementation of the digital component of the MAP REA encounters difficulties and risks that need to be addressed both at domestic and region-al level. The main challenges relate to capacity of public administration to comply with this demand-ing agenda, availability of technical assistance to implement many of the actions put forward in MAP REA and capital investment mainly for broadband infrastructure.

The challenges in implementing digital integration component measures entail:

� The level of harmonisation of the legislation with the respective EU acquis is uneven across WB6 as economies are at different stages of EU integration process, associated with different dynamics of the legislative harmonisation process. This may in certain areas collide with the need to have regional positions or regional actions and therefore due attention should be given.

� Administrative capacities and capacity of the domestic structures are not at the level necessary to successfully implement some of the measures. Strengthening the capacities of the structures across all areas of the digital agenda is jointly recognised by the WB6 economies. In particular, in the area of cybersecurity (i.e. WB6 CSIRTS), WB6 digitisation (i.e. agencies dealing with open data, e-services and e-government) require dedicated capacity building programmes to ensure effective implementation of the actions put in MAP REA.

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� General level of knowledge and skills in the area of digital integration needs to be increased. Although MAP REA anticipates regional training programmes for several target groups, namely citizens, IT specialists, women and people from disadvantaged groups, etc. a holistic approach to digital skills and competences is needed. Private sector and government digital skills needs should also be addressed and tailor-made training programmes need to be prepared.

� Having regional positions in many areas of the WB6 digital agenda is essential. This is particularly important in the area of cybersecurity, where the impact across the region will be high, and in spectrum policy coordination. There is no specific mechanism or instrument to achieve this and therefore additional efforts should be invested to explore prospective regional tools to be used in this respect.

� WB6 needs to increase its exposure to EU programmes and initiatives – there are actions intended to facilitate the participation of WB6 in several EU programmes, initiatives and institutions. It is unclear how this can be achieved as it involves a broader group of economies than just the WB6. This also necessitates a proactive and positive response by EU institutions and other potential partners involved.

Recommendations and next stepsThis section provides in a blueprint the main rec-ommendations and next steps for all objectives un-der the Digital Integration Component. The recom-mendations intend to offer a solution to the main findings and/or needs anticipated in the state of implementation section.

IV.1. Digital environment networks and services, connectivity and accessIV.1.1. Boost digital infrastructure development and regional connectivity, while creating a level playing field for digital networks and services to flourish

� Advance with the transposition of EU Directive 2014/61/EU in all WB6 and complete the broadband infrastructure mapping.

� Launch the regional dialogue on business incentive models and PPPs to address low connectivity. Organise a regional workshop during the second half of 2018.

� Participate in the new EU Broadband Competence Office (BCO) Network initiative and establish BCOs.

� Intensify the regulatory dialogue amongst all WB6 regulators and intensify the launched WB6-EC regulatory dialogue.

� Complete regional interconnection and integration into the pan-European GÉANT.

� Utilise the available technical assistance in relation to digital connectivity projects, including broadband infrastructure mapping, zoning and identification of most suitable business models or through WBIF.

IV.1.2. Harmonise spectrum policy to ensure timely and efficient availability and boost de-ployment of standardised 5G networks

� Finalise DSO in the whole region, i.e. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo*.

� Improve regional cooperation on spectrum coordination with a view to address spectrum coordination needs in WB6.

� Launch regional discussion amongst regulators ahead of ECO, CEPT meetings as well as before WRCs to align regional positions for issues of joint interest.

IV. 1.3. Coordinate roaming policies towards a roaming free economic area

� Continue the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region.

� Support the implementation of a roadmap to facilitate lowering the costs of roaming, between the Western Balkans and the European Union.

IV.2.Trust and security in digital servicesIV.2.1. Enhance Cybersecurity, trust services and data protection

� Complete the transposition of the EU Directive 2016/1148/EU.

� Complete the identification of the critical IT infrastructures and seek technical assistance to support the WB6 economies in implementing the requirements of Annex of the EU NIS Directive.

� Build CSIRTs capacity and strengthen the regional CSIRT network, as well as promote regional cooperation on NIS dialogue and information exchange amongst WB6 CSIRTs.

� Organise the Regional Conference of CSIRTs with a view to share experience amongst WB6 CSIRTs and other advanced CSIRTs from EU or other partners.

� Establish cooperation with ENISA including on NIS alignment process and preparation of cybersecurity strategies.

� Establish forms of cooperation to ensure transfer of knowledge amongst WB6 economies and coordination with partners/organisations active in the area of cybersecurity.

IV.3. Digital economy and society, Inclusive digital societyIV.3.1. Develop and strengthen supply of digital skills

� Engage in regional discussion to define ways in developing digital skills; pilot a regional intervention aimed at enhancing basic digital skills for citizens to engage online; support the WB6 to implement the EU Digital Competence Framework.

� Pilot a regional intervention aimed at enhancing skills for IT specialists and IT skills for government officials.

� Scale up pilots already implemented in the region such as WoW, aiming to mobilise and upskill youth, women, and people with disabilities.

� Scale up the British Council’s pilot project on digital literacy and skills.

� Explore ways how to better integrate WB6 economies in the EU New Skills Agenda for Europe and the EU Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition initiative.

IV.4. Digitisation, Data economy, Standards and Interoperability, InnovationIV.4.1. Promote uptake of Smart Technologies and Accelerate Digitisation

� Advance with the preparations of the National Interoperability Frameworks in the economies that have not done it so far. Exchange experience and ensure peer-to-peer learning from advanced economies.

� Coordinate regional activities on interoperability standards and facilitate alignment of standards, complementarity of interoperability frameworks and introduce a pan-European dimension, in line with the European Interoperability Framework (EIF).

� Involve private sector to assess the multi-faceted benefits of the online platforms and online services.

� Launch a structured dialogue amongst the appropriate regional authorities responsible

for harmonisation and implementation of legislation with eIDAS regulation.

� Launch a structured dialogue amongst the appropriate regional authorities to standardise and improve the quality of open data portals and explore potentials to regionally exchange of available data.

� Start preparations to organise the up-coming WB6 Digital Summit in Belgrade. Re-convene the Steering Committee meeting to contribute to an early and structured multi-stakeholder dialogue in this respect.

Conclusions and recommendationsThe MAP REA implementation is an ambitious en-deavour and a credible monitoring and reporting function is essential, both in demonstrating the progress being made, as well as in maintaining the momentum across WB6.

MAP REA actions are increasingly internalised in domestic strategic documents and implementa-tion is in progress. While political commitment is present, the complexity of MAP REA necessitates strong cooperation between MAP Coordinators and Component Contact Points and line ministries, and efficient intra-governmental coordination. This is not always the case – this report does not include inputs from all WB6.

The Western Balkans Enlargement Strategy rec-ognised the importance of the Regional Economic Area, putting it in the core of the EU accession pro-cess. The Enlargement Strategy’s Action Plan em-beds a considerable number of MAP REA measures. Thus, pro-active involvement, advice and guidance of line DGs and DEUs in the implementation of MAP REA will be needed. Furthermore, technical assis-tance, capacity building and direct implementation support extended through EU-funded actions will be instrumental in achieving MAP REA goals. The Declaration made at the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia on 17 May 2018 calls for urgent action to implement the Multi-annual Action Plan for the Development of a Regional Economic Area and an-nounces the continued EU support in the efforts in-vested by Western Balkans. Moreover, the Vienna Economy Ministerial meeting and London Summit are also expected to take stock of progress on REA and reaffirm future commitments towards full im-plementation of REA Roadmap.

Several actions planned under MAP REA are sched-uled to begin implementation at a later date, or their start is dependent on other processes, out-

44 45


side of the scope of MAP REA. This depreciates the overall scores as well and it should be taken into consideration when assessing the level of progress made by the WB6 economies so far.

Coordination at economy level needs to be im-proved, so as to ensure adequate representation at the regional platforms and effective chain of deci-sion making, which is to contribute to more success-ful implementation of the agreed measures on the individual economy level and consequently regional level. Moreover, where needed, experts should be properly mandated to ensure decision making.

Regional investment reform agenda has been adopted with the next step of translating it into na-tional action plans. The South East Europe Invest-ment Committee (SEEIC) will continue to be the main platform for supporting the regional invest-ment reform agenda, nevertheless economies still need to establish focus groups on the domestic lev-el which will discuss and steer proposed concrete policy reforms. The capacities of the relevant insti-tutions should be increased especially when talking about Investment Promotion Agencies, both human and financial. Western Balkan economies will have to agree on specific sectors they want to promote internationally and work jointly towards develop-ment of Joint Investment Promotion Initiative with the aim of promoting WB6 as a single investment destination. What is evident in most of the econo-mies is that investment laws are in place, but what is missing is adequate implementation. There is ev-ident need for further support of diversification of financial markets, particularly capital markets and development of alternative financing instruments in all economies. Needs assessment should be car-ried out for development of a regional strategy for capital markets development.

The Western Balkan Enlargement Strategy empha-sised the need to ensure full integration of the WB6 into the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area to ensure integration of the students, researchers and academics into the exist-ing European networks providing additional impe-tus to the Mobility component of MAP.

The Mobility agenda has seen dynamic progress, in particular in reaching the key milestone in re-moving obstacles to recognition of professional and academic qualifications. These efforts are particu-larly timely as the European Higher Education Area Ministerial Conference reinforced the importance of recognition of academic qualifications and as the EU is preparing a Communication of Recogni-tion of Academic Qualifications to be endorsed by

the EU Council during the Austrian Presidency of the EU. Furthermore, the Sofia Declaration of the EU – Western Balkans Summit calls for stepping up work on recognition of qualifications.

Further implementation will require increased ad-ministrative capacities of the authorities involved in the two processes. To support the implementa-tion, technical assistance to build further the insti-tutional capacities of the relevant authorities will be needed. However, more importantly, the two processes open possibilities to support synergies with the European processes, domestic efforts to transpose the relevant EU acquis and to integrate further into existing European institutions. To en-able the positives overspills and release the poten-tial of the multiplying effects contained in these two agendas it is essential to ensure additional fi-nancial resources and technical assistance of the line DGs, in particular DG GROW and DG EAC.

The recognition agenda profited from the existing operationalised work plans, a similar joint work plan is missing in the agenda on the Mobility of Re-searchers. This is partly due to the nature of the actions, which are predominantly in the domain of each economy. However, benefits could be drawn from a joint work plan which would support further the domestic efforts. The potential to influence the next generation of EU programmes for the WB6 should not be missed. The joint activities and the existing regional cooperation for R&D would enable an effective preparation of joint positions if the re-gion wished to do so.

The Digital Integration Component envisages a regional approach to the Digital Agenda for WB6 economies, reinforced further by the Enlarge-ment Strategy and its flagship, to support digital infrastructure development and improved regional connectivity, harmonised spectrum policies, coor-dinated roaming policies, enhanced cybersecurity, trust services and data protection, and cooperation in policies that stimulate the data economy. WB6 record a mixed level of preparedness in the digi-tal integration. The EU reports 2018 underline that Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and The Former Yugo-slav Republic of Macedonia are at a moderate level of preparation in digital agenda while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo* are lagging a bit behind. The reporting from WB6 on MAP REA state of im-plementation in the Digital Integration Component shows that WB6 are at a varied level of implemen-tation and preparation in the digital agenda, less prepared in developing digitals skills and more ad-vanced in roaming policy coordination and promo-tion of the uptake of smart technologies.

WB6 have implemented all regional RCC facili-tated deliverables in digital integration. Hence, WB6 Digital Summit held in Skopje on 18-19 April 2018, co-organised by RCC, reconfirmed political commitment to work on a regional digital agenda. Moreover, a structured high-level regional political dialogue on digitisation is established, based on full WB ownership and government-industry col-laboration; Regional Roaming Agreement has been successfully implemented leading to substantial decrease of the roaming prices and WB6 have ex-pressed the commitment to continue the processes of lowering the roaming costs for the full coverage of consumers in the Western Balkans region. This effort will be complementary to the EU-led efforts on Roadmap for lowering roaming costs between Western Balkans and EU.; cybersecurity capacities have been strengthened and regional cooperation amongst WB6 CSIRTs enhanced through the estab-lished network of CSIRTs from the Western Balkans.

Finally, the monitoring of the MAP REA implementa-tion poses particular challenges listed as follows:

i. Measures that are continuous in nature are not action oriented or where tangible outputs are difficult to define or quantify require a more systematic effort within the regional structures to properly define intermediary measures and milestones, to articulate the desired outputs, as well as to identify the outcomes and impact, within a coherent logical framework. Moreover, these measures are not properly reported from the economies nor adequately scored, as the progress assessment for these meas-ures is usually “on-going”. To this end, regional mechanism should address the concern to find feasible and appropriate so-lutions;

ii. Non-actionable measures need further de-tailing – many of the measures put forward by MAP REA require additional activities/milestones/steps in order for the action to be implemented. For example – “Coor-dinate regional positions….”; “Initiate re-gional cooperation…”; “Foster cooperation ….”, etc. There is a need for these types of actions to be further detailed;

iii. Reporting from the economies does not re-late in full and directly to the implemen-tation of MAP REA measures (i.e. activities and steps undertaken from July 2017) but it rather offers the state of play under all actions. This does not allow monitoring the

progress and risks to replicate the findings of the MAP REA Stock Taking and Needs As-sessment Report. The reporting from the WB6 economies should be improved to al-low monitoring of progress, and RCC will work with MAP NCs and MAP CCPs to assist in providing further details/methodologies to streamline the inputs;

iv. Limited availability of technical assistance – almost all measures of MAP REA, except for some of the measures in the Investment Component, require technical assistance for successful implementation. RCC facilitated the process of identification of the regional technical assistance needs, preceded by a self-identification of needs from each WB6 economy and validated through the consul-tation processes in all WB6 during February 2018. This has been further digested and systematised into practical regional inter-ventions projects included in the SEE2020 Programming Document 2018-2020 and pre-sented during the Fourth Meeting on Donor Coordination. Regional interventions can be further developed should the financial as-sistance be secured;

v. Use of existing funds – for some of the iden-tified needs, in particular capacity building on all MAP REA components, the existing TAIEX instrument could be more proactively used, especially in terms of outlining a pre-dictable pipeline of capacity building ac-tivities.

vi. Scores at the level of objectives are cal-culated as simple averages of all meas-ures-level scores within a given objective. Hence, in objectives where the progress of each measure therein varies the approach used for the scoring may create mispercep-tions in regard to the implementation sta-tus of a specific measure.

46 47


ANN

EXAN

NEX

3 –

REG

ION

AL R

EPO

RTIN

G T

ABLE

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

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nit

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ttle

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rato

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as h

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ay in

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ana

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roto

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lem

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ties

for

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dd

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ch

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ctur

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gion

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pon

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nd a

gree

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t to

be

reac

hed

by t

he C

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Par

ties

, CE

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stru

ctur

es w

ould

be

best

pla

ced

to

adop

t th

e re

gion

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trat

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on r

isk

man

agem

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rol

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appi

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u-tu

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ect

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ort

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ies

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ctur

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ased

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cted

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riod

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48 49


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.I.

2. H

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onis

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arke

ts w

ith

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d Fu

ll Cu

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g un

inte

rrup

ted

appl

icat

ion

of S

AP +

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-201

8CE

FTA

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ies

regu

larl

y at

tend

the

PEM

Joi

nt C

omm

itte

e m

eeti

ngs

and

emph

asis

e th

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port

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of

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terr

upte

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plem

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tion

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+ cu

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tart

of

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of F

ull

cum

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and

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wba

ck in

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TA20

19-2

019

1 Ju

ly 2

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adop

ted

by t

he J

C as

sin

gle

date

for

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rt o

f im

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emen

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ll cu

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ten

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pro

xim

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on o

f CE

F-TA

M

FN

to

EU C

ET

a. I

mpa

ct a

sses

smen

t of

app

roxi

mat

ion

of C

EFTA

M

FN r

ates

wit

h th

e EU

Com

mon

Ext

erna

l Tar

iff20

18-2

018

The

prep

arat

ion

of r

elev

ant

proj

ect

docu

men

ts is

in p

rogr

ess.

4

I.3.

Cre

atin

g N

TMs

and

TDM

fre

e Re

gion

I.

3.

1.

Ad

min

is-

trat

ive

Co-

op

era

tio

n b

et

we

en

Com

peti

tion

an

d St

ate

Aid

Mon

itor

-in

g A

utho

ri-

ties

a. D

evel

opin

g th

e in

stru

men

ts f

or i

nfor

mat

ion

exch

ange

bet

wee

n Co

mpe

titi

on a

nd S

tate

Aid

Au-

thor

itie

s20

19-2

020

The

CEFT

A St

ruct

ures

are

ava

ilabl

e to

pro

vide

the

offi

cial

pla

tfor

m

for

the

topi

c in

the

upc

omin

g pe

riod

.1

b. F

ull

and

sust

aina

ble

repo

rtin

g of

sta

te a

id in

-cl

udin

g st

ate

aid

sche

mes

and

mea

sure

s 20

18-2

019

The

legi

slat

ion

is a

lrea

dy in

pla

ce in

CEF

TA f

or s

tate

aid

rep

orti

ng.

The

repo

rts

deliv

ered

by

the

CEFT

A Pa

rtie

s ne

ed t

o be

upd

ated

.1

c.

Enha

nce

coop

erat

ion

amon

gst

com

peti

tion

au

thor

itie

s by

sup

port

ing

the

esta

blis

hmen

t of

a

stru

ctur

ed n

etw

ork

to f

oste

r pe

er le

arni

ng20

18-2

023

The

CEFT

A St

ruct

ures

are

ava

ilabl

e to

pro

vide

the

offi

cial

pla

tfor

m

for

the

topi

c in

the

upc

omin

g pe

riod

.2

I.

3.

2.

Eli

min

at-

ing

and

re-

mai

ning

dis

-cr

imin

ator

y pr

acti

ces

in

publ

ic

pro-

cu

rem

en

t m

arke

ts

a. M

onit

orin

g th

e el

imin

atio

n of

rem

aini

ng d

is-

crim

inat

ory

prac

tice

s in

pub

lic p

rocu

rem

ent

mar

-ke

ts

2017

-201

8Th

e re

sult

s of

the

CEF

TA fi

nanc

ed p

roje

ct f

or m

onit

orin

g th

e pu

b-lic

pro

cure

men

t w

ill b

e av

aila

ble

soon

.4

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.I

.3

.3

. S

ys

te

mic

M

on

ito

r-

ing

of N

TMs

in

trad

e in

go

ods

and

serv

ices

a. E

mpl

oyin

g de

terr

ing

mon

itor

ing

and

enfo

rce-

men

t m

echa

nism

s to

elim

inat

e an

y re

mai

ning

N

TBs

2018

-202

0Th

e CE

FTA

Mar

ket

Acce

ss B

arri

ers

Data

base

is u

p an

d ru

nnin

g.3

I.4.

Fac

ilita

tion

of

free

tra

de in

ser

vice

s

I.4.

1.

Imp

lem

en

-ta

tion

of

CE

FTA

Ad-

dit

ion

al

Prot

ocol

6

on T

rade

in

Serv

ices

a. A

dopt

ion

of t

he A

ddit

iona

l Pro

toco

l 6 b

y ne

go-

tiat

ing

Part

ies

2017

-201

8Ad

diti

onal

Pro

toco

l 6 a

wai

ts a

dopt

ion

by t

he C

EFTA

Joi

nt C

omm

it-

tee

(the

tex

t is

agr

eed,

den

omin

atio

n is

sue

to b

e so

lved

)1

b. E

nsur

ing

tim

ely

entr

y in

to f

orce

of

Addi

tion

al

Prot

ocol

620

18-2

019

Rati

ficat

ion

of t

he A

P6 is

pen

ding

ado

ptio

n by

JC

1

c. D

evel

opm

ent

of t

he s

usta

inab

le m

echa

nism

for

m

onit

orin

g tr

ade

in s

ervi

ces

polic

ies,

inc

ludi

ng

scre

enin

g of

leg

isla

tion

and

map

ping

of

proj

ects

an

d es

tabl

ishm

ent

of t

he e

ffici

ent

disp

ute

sett

le-

men

t m

echa

nism

2017

-201

9CE

FTA

Stat

isti

cal P

orta

l set

up,

indi

cato

rs d

efine

d an

d ap

prov

ed2

d. E

stab

lishm

ent

of t

he c

onta

ct p

oint

for

ser

vice

s 20

18-2

019

Conc

ept

on c

onta

ct p

oint

s fo

r se

rvic

es u

nder

pre

para

tion

.2

e.

Esta

blis

hmen

t an

d m

aint

enan

ce

of t

he

re-

gion

al t

rans

pare

ncy

plat

form

on

serv

ices

pol

icie

s fe

atur

ing

chan

nels

of

com

mun

icat

ion

to p

riva

te

sect

or a

nd w

ider

cir

cle

of b

enefi

ciar

ies

2018

-202

3

Elem

ents

of

regi

onal

pla

tfor

m f

or s

ervi

ces

part

ially

defi

ned.

n/a

f. R

evie

w o

f co

mm

itm

ents

und

erta

ken

by t

he A

P6

in n

on-l

iber

alis

ed s

ecto

rs w

ith

a vi

ew t

o de

epen

th

e m

arke

t op

enin

g in

the

se s

ecto

rs20

22-2

023

Acti

on is

pen

ding

ful

l im

plem

enta

tion

of A

P6n/

a

g. E

valu

atio

n of

impa

ct o

f th

e Ag

reem

ent

on f

ur-

ther

tra

de a

nd i

nves

tmen

t gr

owth

, G

VC,

labo

ur

mar

ket

2020

-202

3Ac

tion

is p

endi

ng f

ull i

mpl

emen

tati

on o

f AP6

n/a

h. E

stab

lishm

ent

and

mai

nten

ance

of

the

plat

-fo

rm fo

r st

atis

tica

l dat

a on

tra

de in

ser

vice

s, F

ATS

and

FDI

2017

-202

3Re

port

ing

syst

em o

pera

tion

al,

diss

emin

atio

n pl

atfo

rm c

reat

ed

and

avai

labl

e to

use

rs4

50 51


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

I.

4.

2.

Co

ncl

usi

on

of

agre

e-m

ents

on

in-

terr

egi

onal

re

gula

tory

co

oper

atio

n

a. I

dent

ifica

tion

of

regu

lato

ry b

arri

ers

that

im

-pe

de t

rade

and

pro

posa

l fo

r cl

oser

coo

pera

tion

am

ongs

t re

gula

tory

bod

ies

in s

ecto

rs a

nd p

olic

ies

of m

utua

l int

eres

t

2017

-201

8M

appi

ng o

f re

gula

tory

bod

ies

in c

harg

e of

ser

vice

s co

mpl

eted

. Po

tent

ial

barr

iers

for

coo

pera

tion

am

ongs

t se

lect

ed r

egul

ator

s id

enti

fied.

b. E

stab

lishm

ent

and

mai

nten

ance

of

data

base

w

ith

regu

lato

ry h

eter

ogen

eity

indi

ces

to p

erfo

rm

asse

ssm

ent

of i

mpl

icat

ions

of

arra

ngem

ents

on

the

regi

on

2018

-202

3La

w fi

rms

for

com

pilin

g da

ta o

n le

gisl

atio

n an

d po

licy

mea

sure

s se

lect

ed.

c. Id

enti

ficat

ion

of s

uita

ble

form

s fo

r co

oper

atio

n ba

sed

on s

oft

law

s, r

ecog

niti

on o

f in

tern

atio

nal

and

EU s

tand

ards

, M

RAs

2017

-201

8Pr

elim

inar

y an

alys

is o

f po

tent

ial

form

s of

coo

pera

tion

am

ongs

t re

gula

tors

per

form

ed.

d. N

egot

iati

on a

nd a

dmin

iste

ring

the

con

clus

ion

of s

elec

ted

arra

ngem

ents

2018

-202

3Ac

tion

will

fol

low

dec

isio

n on

reg

ulat

ors

and

pref

erre

d fo

rms

of

coop

erat

ion

I.

4.

3.

De

ve

lop

-m

ent

of

dis

cip

lin

es

on d

omes

tic

regu

lati

on

a. R

egul

ar r

evie

w o

f an

y is

sues

of

dom

esti

c re

gu-

lati

on in

tra

de in

ser

vice

s20

18-2

019

2022

-202

3

Firs

t re

view

exp

ecte

d in

Nov

embe

r 20

19

Seco

nd r

evie

w e

xpec

ted

in 2

023

b. D

evel

opm

ent

of a

ny n

eces

sary

dis

cipl

ines

in

spec

ific

sect

ors

to e

nsur

e th

at q

ualifi

cati

on r

e-qu

irem

ents

and

pro

cedu

res,

tec

hnic

al s

tand

ards

an

d lic

ensi

ng r

equi

rem

ents

do

not

unne

cess

arily

im

pede

the

sup

ply

of s

ervi

ces

acro

ss t

he r

egio

n

2020

-202

3Ac

tion

will

fol

low

res

ults

of

the

first

rev

iew

to

be c

ompl

eted

in

2019

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

I.

4.

4.

La

un

ch

ing

dial

ogue

on

re

gula

tory

is

sues

in

e

lec

tro

nic

co

mm

erce

a. I

dent

ify

barr

iers

to

e-Co

mm

erce

in

CEFT

A an

d as

sess

e-C

omm

erce

im

pact

and

lau

nch

regi

onal

di

alog

ue o

n re

gula

tory

iss

ues

in e

lect

roni

c co

m-

mer

ce

2018

-202

3

Stud

y on

bar

rier

s in

leg

isla

tive

fra

mew

ork

and

prac

tice

is

unde

r pr

epar

atio

n

b. A

sses

s ex

isti

ng g

eo-b

lock

ing

mea

sure

s (f

ocus

on

dig

ital

con

tent

and

cop

yrig

ht g

oods

) an

d ex

-am

ine

whe

ther

fit

for

purp

ose

wit

h th

e ai

m t

o pr

even

t un

just

ified

geo

-blo

ckin

g w

hile

ens

urin

g in

vest

men

t an

d in

nova

tion

ince

ntiv

es a

t th

e sa

me

tim

e

2019

-202

0

Stud

y on

geo

-blo

ckin

g m

easu

res

to b

e pr

epar

ed in

201

9

c. L

aunc

h re

gion

al a

ctio

ns a

imed

at

incr

easi

ng

citi

zen'

s tr

ust

in o

nlin

e se

rvic

es (

paym

ent,

etc

.)

and

coor

dina

tion

on

e-Co

mm

erce

tru

st m

arks

2018

-202

0Ac

tion

will

fol

low

the

res

ults

of

anal

ysis

on

barr

iers

in l

egis

lati

ve

fram

ewor

k an

d pr

acti

ce

d. Id

enti

fy a

nd a

pply

the

bes

t pr

acti

ce t

o di

gita

l m

arke

t pl

aces

to

grow

SM

E bu

sine

sses

and

dri

ve

cons

umer

wel

fare

2018

-202

3Ac

tion

will

fol

low

the

res

ults

of

anal

ysis

on

barr

iers

in l

egis

lati

ve

fram

ewor

k an

d pr

acti

ce

e. A

sses

s ne

cess

ity

of r

egio

nal

acti

on t

o en

sure

hi

gh q

ualit

y de

liver

y of

goo

ds (

e.g.

, di

gita

l co

n-te

nt t

rade

d cr

oss-

bord

er o

r ph

ysic

al g

oods

pur

-ch

ased

and

via

ele

ctro

nic

mea

ns)

and

serv

ices

at

reas

onab

le c

osts

2018

-202

3

Acti

on w

ill f

ollo

w t

he r

esul

ts o

f an

alys

is o

n ba

rrie

rs in

leg

isla

tive

fr

amew

ork

and

prac

tice

f. E

stab

lish

reco

gnit

ion

of c

erti

ficat

es o

f el

ec-

tron

ic s

igna

ture

and

fac

ilita

tion

of

cros

s-bo

rder

ce

rtifi

cati

on s

ervi

ces

2018

-202

3SC

on

Serv

ices

will

ser

ve a

s um

brel

la f

or t

he a

ctiv

itie

s re

late

d to

th

e El

ectr

onic

Com

mer

ce.

g. E

nsur

e lia

bilit

y of

int

erm

edia

ry s

ervi

ces

pro-

vide

rs w

ith

resp

ect

to t

he t

rans

mis

sion

, or

sto

r-ag

e of

info

rmat

ion

base

d on

EU

com

plia

nce

2019

-202

1Ac

tion

will

fol

low

the

res

ults

of

anal

ysis

on

barr

iers

in l

egis

lati

ve

fram

ewor

k an

d pr

acti

ce

h. A

ddre

ss t

reat

men

t of

uns

olic

ited

ele

ctro

nic

com

mer

cial

com

mun

icat

ions

2018

-202

3Ac

tion

will

fol

low

the

res

ults

of

anal

ysis

on

barr

iers

in l

egis

lati

ve

fram

ewor

k an

d pr

acti

ce

52 53


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.II.

Inve

stm

ent

II.1.

Inve

stm

ent

polic

y Th

e re

gion

is o

n a

good

tra

ck in

impl

emen

tati

on o

f m

easu

res

rela

ted

to t

he in

vest

men

t po

licy,

and

in t

imel

y m

anne

r fo

r th

e fir

st h

alf

of 2

018,

as

stip

u-la

ted

by t

he M

AP.

Regi

onal

Inve

stm

ent

Refo

rm A

gend

a ha

s be

en d

raft

ed, r

evie

wed

and

end

orse

d bo

th a

t in

divi

dual

eco

nom

y an

d re

gion

al le

vels

(SEE

IC-C

EFTA

Joi

nt W

orki

ng

Gro

up o

n In

vest

men

ts,

SEEI

C pl

enar

y an

d m

inis

teri

al f

oras

). R

egio

nal C

apit

al M

arke

ts W

orki

ng G

roup

has

bee

n es

tabl

ishe

d an

d pr

epar

ed a

reg

iona

l act

iv-

ity

prog

ram

me

for

capi

tal m

arke

ts d

evel

opm

ent.

The

sm

art

grow

th e

ffor

ts h

ave

cons

olid

ated

the

wor

k of

the

reg

iona

l R&

D pl

atfo

rm a

nd S

EEIC

Wor

king

G

roup

on

Indu

stri

al P

olic

y, a

nd t

aken

the

wor

k in

intr

oduc

tion

of

smar

t sp

ecia

lisat

ion

to in

dust

rial

dev

elop

men

t ag

enda

s fu

rthe

r.

II

.1

.1

. D

evel

op a

nd

esta

blis

h a

regi

onal

in

-v

es

tme

nt

re

fo

rm

ag

enda

a. E

xecu

te d

etai

led

map

ping

of

fore

ign

inve

st-

men

ts i

n th

e W

B6 r

egio

n, w

here

by e

cono

mie

s pr

ovid

e ac

cess

to

FDI-

rele

vant

dat

a (s

ecto

rs,

re-

inve

stm

ents

, em

ploy

men

t, e

tc.)

2017

-201

8

Deta

iled

map

ping

of

FDI

has

been

exe

cute

d an

d co

nsol

idat

ed a

t th

e re

gion

al l

evel

in

the

fram

ewor

k of

im

plem

enta

tion

of

Wes

t-er

n Ba

lkan

s Re

gion

al I

nves

tmen

t Po

licy

and

Prom

otio

n Pr

ojec

t,

perf

orm

ed i

n co

oper

atio

n of

the

RCC

, CE

FTA

and

the

Wor

ld B

ank

Gro

up a

nd w

ith

finan

cial

sup

port

of

the

Euro

pean

Com

mis

sion

. Th

e W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve d

eliv

ered

the

inf

orm

atio

n/da

ta o

n FD

I flo

ws,

for

eign

tra

de,

in m

ost

case

s th

e in

vest

or d

ata

as w

ell

(in-

war

d, o

utw

ard

and

pote

ntia

l in

vest

ors)

col

lect

ed b

y re

leva

nt i

n-st

itut

ions

. Ba

sed

on t

his

data

, FD

I m

appi

ng r

epor

t an

d in

vest

or

data

base

has

bee

n cr

eate

d.

Base

d on

the

inve

stor

dat

abas

e cr

eate

d, in

vest

or s

urve

y ha

s be

en

perf

orm

ed.

A co

mpr

ehen

sive

in

vent

ory/

data

base

of

ke

y in

vest

men

t po

li-cy

bar

rier

s an

d in

hibi

tors

, as

wel

l as

bes

t pr

acti

ces

is fi

nalis

ed

thro

ugh

deta

iled

inte

rvie

ws

wit

h th

e in

vest

ors

base

in t

he r

egio

n.

Fina

lised

thr

ough

pre

para

tion

of

prop

osal

and

rev

iew

of

the

het-

erog

eneo

us p

olic

y m

ix o

f th

e Re

gion

al In

vest

men

t Re

form

Age

nda

(RIR

A) t

hrou

gh in

divi

dual

eco

nom

y co

nsul

tati

ons

and

regi

onal

dia

-lo

gue

of t

he S

EEIC

-CEF

TA J

oint

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n In

vest

men

ts.

RIRA

has

bee

n en

dors

ed t

hrou

gh t

he d

ecis

ion

mak

ing

proc

esse

s of

th

e hi

gher

ins

tanc

es,

nam

ely

SEEI

C pl

enar

y an

d m

inis

teri

al p

lat-

form

s an

d pu

t fo

rwar

d fo

r ad

opti

on b

y th

e W

B6 P

Ms.

3

b. I

dent

ify

and

com

pile

a c

ompr

ehen

sive

inv

en-

tory

/dat

abas

e of

key

inv

estm

ent

polic

y ba

rrie

rs

and

inhi

bito

rs,

as w

ell a

s be

st p

ract

ices

, th

roug

h in

-dep

th c

onsu

ltat

ions

wit

h th

e pr

ivat

e se

ctor

an

d re

view

of

exis

ting

ana

lysi

s, w

ith

econ

omie

s to

pro

vide

rel

evan

t da

ta o

n ex

isti

ng p

olic

ies,

la

ws,

and

reg

ulat

ions

per

tain

ing

to i

nves

tmen

t,

rele

vant

sys

tem

of

ince

ntiv

es a

s w

ell a

s le

gal a

nd

othe

r co

mpr

ehen

sive

pro

tect

ion

of t

he a

cqui

red

righ

ts o

f in

vest

ors

2018

c. F

orm

ulat

e a

regi

onal

inve

stm

ent

refo

rm a

gen-

da b

y pr

iori

tisi

ng a

nd s

eque

ncin

g is

sues

in in

vest

-m

ent-

pert

inen

t po

licie

s to

be

addr

esse

d th

roug

h a

regi

onal

dia

logu

e in

sho

rt-t

erm

, m

ediu

m-t

erm

an

d lo

ng-t

erm

tim

efra

me

2018

d. F

orm

ulat

e in

divi

dual

-eco

nom

y ac

tion

pla

ns r

e-fle

ctin

g th

e re

gion

al i

nves

tmen

t re

form

age

nda

and

stre

amlin

ing

the

indi

vidu

al-e

cono

my

refo

rm

effor

ts

2018

e. A

dopt

ind

ivid

ual

econ

omy

acti

on p

lans

, re

-fle

ctin

g th

e re

gion

al i

nves

tmen

t re

form

age

nda

and

stre

amlin

ing

the

indi

vidu

al-e

cono

my

refo

rm

effor

ts

2018

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

II

.1

.2

. F

orm

ali

se

the

regi

onal

in

vest

me

nt

re

fo

rm

a

ge

nd

a th

roug

h ap

-p

rop

ria

te

inst

rum

ents

a. C

ondu

ct a

naly

sis

and

prop

ose

opti

ons

for

ap-

prop

riat

e in

stru

men

t(s)

acc

epta

ble

to W

B6 e

con-

omie

s ba

sed

on t

he c

onte

nt o

f th

e ag

reed

reg

ion-

al in

vest

men

t re

form

age

nda

2018

Futu

re a

ctiv

ity,

sch

edul

ed f

or a

fter

Jul

y 20

18 e

ndor

sem

ent

by t

he

PMs

and

beyo

nd.

This

is

reco

gnis

ed a

s a

cost

ly a

ctiv

ity

to b

e ex

-ec

uted

by

a te

am o

f hi

gh p

rofil

e le

gal

expe

rts

and

will

nee

d ad

-di

tion

al fi

nanc

ial s

uppo

rt.

1b.

Dec

ide

on t

he n

eces

sity

, fo

rmat

, an

d sc

ope

of

appr

opri

ate

inst

rum

ent(

s) f

or i

mpl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e re

gion

al in

vest

men

t re

form

age

nda

2018

c. In

itia

te a

nd c

oncl

ude

nego

tiat

ions

on

regi

onal

ap

prop

riat

e in

stru

men

t(s)

, de

pend

ing

on t

he d

e-ci

sion

rea

ched

und

er b

)20

18-2

020

II

.1

.3

. Im

ple

me

nt

and

mon

itor

in

vest

me

nt

refo

rms

in

WB6

as

per

esta

bli

shed

re

gion

al

in-

ve

stm

en

t r

ef

or

m

agen

da

a. S

tren

gthe

n th

e re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

on t

he a

gree

d in

vest

men

t re

form

age

nda

unde

r th

e RC

C (S

EE

Inve

stm

ent

Com

mit

tee)

by

revi

sing

the

Ter

ms

of

Refe

renc

e of

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n In

vest

men

t ac

-co

rdin

gly

2017

Regi

onal

Inv

estm

ent

Refo

rm A

gend

a (R

IRA)

fina

lised

, by

rev

ised

an

d ad

opte

d Te

rms

of R

efer

ence

of

the

SEEI

C-CE

FTA

Join

t W

orki

ng

Gro

up o

n In

vest

men

ts,

focu

sing

on

impl

emen

tati

on o

f M

AP R

EA

and

enta

iling

man

date

d pa

rtic

ipat

ion

of i

ndiv

idua

l ec

onom

y of

-fic

ials

in c

harg

e of

inve

stm

ent

polic

y, p

rom

otio

n, a

nd a

gree

men

ts

(whi

lst

incl

udin

g co

ordi

nati

on w

ith

othe

r re

leva

nt li

ne m

inis

trie

s),

as w

ell a

s CE

FTA

cont

act

poin

ts.

Som

e pr

ogre

ss s

een

in s

ome

of t

he e

cono

mie

s, s

till

this

act

ivit

y ne

eds

to b

e pr

oper

ly e

stab

lishe

d in

all

econ

omie

s. B

ette

r co

ordi

-na

tion

and

cha

in o

f de

cisi

on m

akin

g fr

om t

he in

divi

dual

eco

nom

y le

vel i

s ne

eded

, pa

rtic

ular

ly in

coo

rdin

atio

n be

twee

n th

e M

AP R

EA

NCs

wit

h lin

e m

inis

trie

s in

cha

rge

of d

iffer

ent

polic

y ar

eas

unde

r th

e in

vest

men

t co

mpo

nent

.

Som

e pr

ogre

ss s

een

in s

ome

of t

he e

cono

mie

s, s

till

this

act

ivit

y ne

eds

to b

e pr

oper

ly e

stab

lishe

d in

all

econ

omie

s.

2.5

b. M

anda

te r

epre

sent

atio

n of

the

rel

evan

t pu

b-lic

ins

titu

tion

s w

ith

appr

opri

ate

deci

sion

mak

ing

pow

er i

n im

plem

enta

tion

of

the

agre

ed r

egio

nal

inve

stm

ent

refo

rm a

gend

a

2017

c. E

stab

lish

indi

vidu

al-e

cono

my

focu

s gr

oups

in

char

ge o

f im

plem

enta

tion

of

agre

ed i

nves

tmen

t re

form

s on

indi

vidu

al-e

cono

my

leve

l20

18

d. R

evie

w t

he p

rogr

ess

of im

plem

enta

tion

of

the

regi

onal

inv

estm

ent

refo

rm a

gend

a an

d co

nduc

t im

pact

ass

essm

ent

thro

ugh

a re

gula

r re

gion

al d

i-al

ogue

und

er t

he R

CC-C

EFTA

Joi

nt W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Inve

stm

ent

Polic

y an

d Pr

omot

ion

mee

ting

s an

d re

port

s

2018

-202

0

e. R

epor

t on

the

im

plem

enta

tion

and

im

pact

of

the

regi

onal

inv

estm

ent

refo

rm a

gend

a th

roug

h th

e RC

C-CE

FTA

Join

t W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Inve

st-

men

t Po

licy

and

Prom

otio

n an

d SE

E In

vest

men

t Co

mm

itte

e M

inis

teri

al

Plat

form

an

d th

e W

B6

sum

mit

2018

-202

0

54 55


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

II

.1

.4

. P

ro

mo

te

WB6

re

gion

as

a u

niqu

e in

vest

me

nt

dest

inat

ion

a. D

evel

op j

oint

inv

estm

ent

prom

otio

n in

itia

tive

fo

r W

B6 p

rior

ity

sect

ors

and

esta

blis

h an

ope

ra-

tion

al p

latf

orm

of

inve

stm

ent

prom

otio

n to

ols

and

tech

niqu

es

2018

The

inve

stm

ent

prom

otio

n ag

enci

es a

re i

nclu

ded

in t

he r

egio

nal

plat

form

thr

ough

the

wor

k of

the

JW

GI,

init

ial p

ropo

sal m

ade

as a

pa

rt o

f RI

RA,

and

endo

rsed

, w

ith

deta

iled

acti

vity

pla

n to

fol

low

. Re

gion

al i

nves

tmen

t pr

omot

ion

agen

cies

nee

d m

ore

of t

echn

ical

(c

apac

ity

build

ing)

sup

port

for

im

plem

enta

tion

of

join

t re

gion

al

acti

viti

es,

give

n th

eir

unde

rsta

ffed

and

und

er b

udge

ted

situ

atio

n at

indi

vidu

al e

cono

my

leve

ls.

2.5

b. I

mpl

emen

t a

smal

l se

t of

foc

used

inv

estm

ent

outr

each

act

ivit

ies

in c

ore

sect

ors

targ

eted

by

the

SEE

2020

str

ateg

y20

18-2

020

c. D

edic

ate

part

of

the

indi

vidu

al a

ctiv

itie

s of

in

vest

men

t pr

omot

ion

agen

cies

to

prom

otin

g th

e re

gion

as

a so

und

inve

stm

ent

dest

inat

ion

2018

-202

0

II

.1

.5

. D

ive

rsif

i-ca

tion

of

fi

na

nc

ial

syst

ems

to

boos

t in

-ve

stm

ent

a. A

s a

first

ste

p in

thi

s ar

ea,

crea

te a

reg

iona

l Ca

pita

l M

arke

t De

velo

pmen

t Ta

sk F

orce

com

pris

-in

g po

licym

aker

s an

d re

gula

tors

to

sp

earh

ead

capi

tal

mar

ket

deve

lopm

ent

mat

ters

an

d en

-ha

nce

coor

dina

tion

on

regu

lato

ry a

nd s

uper

viso

ry

regi

mes

in t

he r

egio

n an

d be

yond

(inc

ludi

ng c

oor-

dina

tion

wit

h th

e Vi

enna

Init

iati

ve W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Cap

ital

Mar

kets

Uni

on)

2017

Fina

lised

, W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Capi

tal

Mar

kets

est

ablis

hed,

wit

h ad

opte

d To

R fo

cusi

ng o

n M

AP R

EA a

nd e

ntai

ling

repr

esen

tati

ves

of

mar

ket

auth

orit

ies

(Min

istr

ies

of F

inan

ce a

nd C

entr

al B

anks

), r

eg-

ulat

ors

(Sec

urit

ies

Com

mis

sion

s) a

nd o

pera

tors

(Sto

ck E

xcha

nges

).

Inte

rnat

iona

l par

tner

s be

yond

the

reg

ion

have

bee

n id

enti

fied

and

invi

ted

to s

uppo

rt t

he p

roce

ss (

Wor

ld B

ank,

Eur

opea

n Co

mm

is-

sion

, Vi

enna

2.0

Init

iati

ve,

EBRD

– S

EE L

ink,

and

oth

ers

as d

eem

ed

nece

ssar

y)

Coul

d be

mar

ked

as fi

nalis

ed,

give

n th

at t

he p

rovi

sion

s of

thi

s m

easu

re h

ave

been

ful

fille

d. H

owev

er,

this

mea

sure

is m

arke

d on

tr

ack,

sin

ce t

he n

eed

for

regi

onal

str

ateg

y fo

r ca

pita

l mar

kets

has

be

en a

sses

sed

by t

he n

ewly

est

ablis

hed

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Ca

pita

l M

arke

ts,

and

mul

ti-a

nnua

l re

gion

al p

rogr

amm

e co

ncep

t pr

opos

al

is p

repa

red

for

the

July

201

8 Su

mm

it,

enta

iling

pre

para

tion

and

im

plem

enta

tion

of

the

regi

onal

str

ateg

y fo

r ca

pita

l m

arke

ts d

e-ve

lopm

ent,

est

ablis

hmen

t of

new

A2F

pla

tfor

ms,

inc

reas

ing

ca-

paci

ty o

f re

gion

al c

apit

al m

arke

t st

ruct

ures

, as

wel

l as

upgr

adin

g re

gion

al t

radi

ng p

latf

orm

s. T

he p

ropo

sal f

or a

regi

onal

pro

gram

me

need

s su

bsta

ntia

l fina

ncin

g.

3b.

Bas

ed o

n an

alys

is o

n ca

pita

l m

arke

ts d

evel

op-

men

t, a

imed

at

iden

tify

ing

gaps

and

opp

ortu

ni-

ties

fo

r br

oade

r ca

pita

l m

arke

ts

inte

grat

ion,

as

sess

the

nee

d fo

r de

velo

pmen

t of

a r

egio

nal

stra

tegy

for

cap

ital

mar

kets

dev

elop

men

t20

18-2

020

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

II

.1

.6

. S

ma

rt

Gro

wth

a.

Esta

blis

h re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

and

know

ledg

e ex

chan

ge o

n de

velo

ping

Sm

art

grow

th s

trat

egie

s ba

sed

on E

U e

xper

ienc

e an

d su

ppor

t th

e de

velo

p-m

ent

of s

mar

t sp

ecia

lisat

ion

rese

arch

and

inn

o-va

tion

str

ateg

ies

in t

he W

B6 t

o en

sure

str

ateg

ic

stru

ctur

al i

nves

tmen

ts a

nd t

o bu

ild c

ompe

titi

ve

adva

ntag

e

i) w

ith

the

acti

ve p

arti

cipa

tion

of

the

busi

ness

an

d re

sear

ch a

nd i

nnov

atio

n co

mm

unit

ies,

en-

gage

wit

h EU

-wid

e sm

art

grow

th a

ppro

ache

s, n

o-ta

bly

the

smar

t sp

ecia

lisat

ion

plat

form

s, t

o de

-ve

lop

and

impl

emen

t sm

art

grow

th d

evel

opm

ent

stra

tegi

es

ii) w

ith

the

acti

ve p

arti

cipa

tion

of

the

busi

ness

an

d re

sear

ch a

nd i

nnov

atio

n co

mm

unit

ies,

en-

gage

wit

h EU

-wid

e w

ork

on d

igit

alis

atio

n, t

o de

-ve

lop

and

impl

emen

t di

gita

l gro

wth

str

ateg

ies

iii)

deve

lop

easi

er a

cces

s to

fina

nce

for

busi

ness

, es

peci

ally

SM

Es,

star

t-up

s an

d sc

ale-

ups

2018

All o

f th

e ec

onom

ies

have

eng

aged

in a

dyn

amic

way

wit

h de

velo

p-m

ent

of r

esea

rch

and

inno

vati

on p

olic

ies

whe

reby

all

econ

omie

s ha

ve r

ecen

tly

adop

ted

R&D

stra

tegi

es,

but

also

eng

aged

in

de-

velo

pmen

t of

inn

ovat

ion

polic

ies

and

inst

rum

ents

whi

ch e

ntai

l a

broa

der

unde

rsta

ndin

g of

inno

vati

on.

Deve

lopm

ent

of s

mar

t sp

ecia

lisat

ion

stra

tegi

es h

as b

een

plac

ed o

n th

e ag

enda

as

one

of t

he p

rior

itie

s fo

r 20

18 b

y al

l of

the

eco

no-

mie

s. W

hile

Ser

bia

and

Mon

tene

gro

have

alr

eady

pro

gres

sed

in t

he

deve

lopm

ent

of t

he s

mar

t sp

ecia

lisat

ion

stra

tegi

es,

the

othe

r fo

ur

econ

omie

s ha

ve i

niti

ated

the

pro

cess

of

the

deve

lopm

ent

of t

he

smar

t sp

ecia

lisat

ion

stra

tegi

es b

y ap

poin

ting

the

coo

rdin

atin

g in

-st

itut

ion

and

the

team

to

coor

dina

te t

he p

repa

rati

on o

f th

e sm

art

spec

ialis

atio

n in

ear

ly 2

018.

Alb

ania

has

fina

lised

the

firs

t ph

ase

of t

he S

3 ro

adm

ap h

avin

g se

nt t

he l

ette

r of

int

enti

on r

egar

ding

th

e co

llabo

rati

on o

n th

e de

velo

pmen

t of

the

sm

art

spec

ialis

atio

n st

rate

gy t

o DG

JRC

. Al

so t

he i

nsti

tuti

onal

cap

acit

y bu

ildin

g ph

ase

of t

he r

oadm

ap w

as c

oncl

uded

, fin

alis

ing

the

desk

res

earc

h of

the

ex

isti

ng p

olic

ies

and

stra

tegi

es r

elat

ed t

o S3

. Th

e de

cisi

on t

o ha

ve

a na

tion

al S

, as

wel

l as

to p

ilot

S3 a

t re

gion

al le

vel,

in R

egio

n 2

of

Alba

nia,

was

tak

en in

clo

se c

olla

bora

tion

and

con

sult

atio

n w

ith

the

Regi

onal

Dev

elop

men

t Ag

ency

2.

The

Alba

nian

S3

team

is

wor

king

cl

osel

y w

ith

JRC

follo

win

g st

eps

as f

ores

een

in t

he j

oint

ly a

gree

d ro

adm

ap.

Regi

onal

Coo

pera

tion

Cou

ncil

(RCC

) an

d th

e Di

rect

orat

e-G

ener

al

Join

t Re

sear

ch C

entr

e (D

G J

RC)

of t

he E

urop

ean

Com

mis

sion

co-

orga

nise

d a

join

t W

orks

hop

on t

he G

over

nanc

e of

Sm

art

Spec

ialis

a-ti

on a

nd T

rain

ing

on t

he E

ntre

pren

euri

al D

isco

very

Pro

cess

(ED

P)

in t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns,

whi

ch w

as h

eld

at T

echn

olog

y Pa

rk in

Lju

-bl

jana

on

11-1

2 Ap

ril 2

018.

In

the

cour

se o

f th

e w

orks

hop

Alba

nia,

Bo

snia

and

Her

zego

vina

, Kos

ovo*

and

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic

of M

aced

onia

hav

e co

mpl

eted

the

firs

t dr

afts

of

the

Road

map

s fo

r th

e De

velo

pmen

t of

the

Sm

art

Spec

ialis

atio

n St

rate

gies

, whi

le M

on-

tene

gro

and

Serb

ia h

ave

star

ted

to p

repa

re o

pera

tion

al p

lans

for

th

e im

plem

enta

tion

of

the

EDP

proc

ess.

Mon

tene

gro

star

ted

wit

h En

trep

rene

uria

l Dis

cove

ry P

roce

ss (

EDP)

on

11 M

ay 2

018

and

is n

ow

hold

ing

the

seco

nd ro

und

of c

onsu

ltat

ions

wit

h pr

ivat

e, p

ublic

, aca

-de

mic

and

civ

il se

ctor

s re

gard

ing

S3 p

rior

ity

sect

ors.

2

56 57


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.Re

sear

ch c

omm

erci

alis

atio

n is

at

a ve

ry e

arly

sta

ge o

f de

velo

p-m

ent

in t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns.

Ther

e ar

e ve

ry f

ew U

nive

rsit

y Te

ch-

nolo

gy T

rans

fer

Offi

ces

and

whe

re t

hey

do e

xist

the

y ar

e un

der-

fund

ed,

unde

rsta

ffed

and

hav

e lim

ited

cap

acit

y to

sup

port

the

te

chno

logy

tra

nsfe

r pr

oces

ses.

The

Eco

nom

ic R

efor

m P

rogr

amm

e of

The

For

mer

Rep

ublic

of M

aced

onia

pri

orit

ises

the

est

ablis

hmen

t of

Nat

iona

l Tec

hnol

ogy

Tran

sfer

Offi

ce (

NTT

O)

and

prep

arat

ory

ac-

tivi

ties

for

est

ablis

hmen

t ar

e co

mpl

eted

. In

Oct

ober

201

6, t

he

draf

t am

endm

ents

to

the

Law

on

Inno

vati

on A

ctiv

ity

for

prov

idin

g a

lega

l fra

mew

ork

for

NTT

O a

nd in

clus

ion

of t

he F

und

for

Inno

va-

tion

and

Tec

hnol

ogic

al D

evel

opm

ent

as o

ne o

f th

e fo

unde

rs o

f th

e N

TTO

wer

e ad

opte

d by

the

Par

liam

ent.

The

NTT

O i

s ex

pect

ed t

o st

art

func

tion

ing

in t

he fi

rst

half

of

2018

.

Som

e of

the

eco

nom

ies,

not

ably

Ser

bia,

Mon

tene

gro

and

The

For-

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

, ha

ve a

lso

inve

sted

int

o th

e de

velo

pmen

t of

Sci

ence

Par

ks a

nd I

ncub

ator

s, h

owev

er t

rue

Sci-

ence

and

Tec

hnol

ogy

Park

s ar

e ra

re i

n th

e W

este

rn B

alka

ns a

nd

shou

ld n

ot b

e co

nfus

ed w

ith

tech

nolo

gy p

arks

and

fre

e tr

ade

zone

s de

sign

ed t

o en

cour

age

esta

blis

hed

busi

ness

es.

Incu

bato

rs

are

mor

e co

mm

on b

ut t

here

are

few

exa

mpl

es o

f in

cuba

tors

fo-

cusi

ng o

n st

art-

ups

and

spin

off w

ith

tech

nolo

gy b

ased

and

sca

l-ab

le i

deas

. At

the

sam

e ti

me

the

econ

omie

s ar

e lo

okin

g in

to d

e-ve

lopi

ng C

entr

es o

f Ex

celle

nce

wit

h va

rieg

ated

pro

gres

s be

twee

n ec

onom

ies.

A m

ulti

-cou

ntry

IPA

proj

ect

aim

ed a

t su

ppor

ting

tec

hnol

ogy

tran

s-fe

r an

d in

nova

tion

in

the

Wes

tern

Bal

kans

– E

U4T

ech

– m

anag

ed

by D

G N

EAR

and

DG J

oint

Res

earc

her

Cent

re w

as la

unch

ed a

t th

e be

ginn

ing

of 2

016.

The

pro

ject

int

ends

to

impl

emen

t a

holis

tic

capa

city

bui

ldin

g st

rate

gy t

hat

will

look

at

the

perf

orm

ance

of

all

acto

rs o

pera

ting

in

the

tech

nolo

gy t

rans

fer

and

inno

vati

on r

ang-

ing

from

aca

dem

ic in

stit

utio

ns t

o ea

rly

stag

e in

vest

ors

to s

cien

ce

park

s to

spi

n-ou

t co

mpa

nies

to

polic

y m

aker

s. F

ifte

en o

rgan

isa-

tion

s in

the

eco

syst

em f

or T

T ca

paci

ty b

uild

ing

in t

he W

B6 h

ave

been

iden

tifie

d w

ithi

n th

e pr

ojec

t an

d ta

rget

ed c

apac

ity

build

ing

and

trai

ning

s ha

ve c

omm

ence

d in

201

8.

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.Fu

rthe

rmor

e, t

he E

urop

ean

Inve

stm

ent

Bank

(EI

B) is

con

duct

ing

a fe

asib

ility

stu

dy f

or a

reg

iona

l Cen

tre

of E

xcel

lenc

e w

hich

sho

uld

prop

ose

inst

itut

ion(

s)/h

ub(s

) w

ith

high

est

pote

ntia

l for

Cen

tre

of

Exce

llenc

e ba

sed

on r

esea

rch

agen

da,

capa

city

to

inte

grat

e re

-la

ted

field

s, e

nabl

e in

dust

rial

con

nect

ivit

y an

d en

sure

vis

ibili

ty

and

sust

aina

bilit

y. D

ue t

o de

lays

the

stu

dy h

as n

ot y

et b

een

mad

e av

aila

ble,

but

it is

exp

ecte

d to

be

publ

ishe

d in

201

8.

Inve

stm

ents

to

supp

ort

inno

vati

on,

as w

ell

as c

omm

erci

alis

atio

n of

pub

lic r

esea

rch

are

of c

ruci

al i

mpo

rtan

ce.

Serb

ia h

as s

et u

p a

func

tion

al in

nova

tion

fund

, as

wel

l as

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

b-lic

of

Mac

edon

ia,

Alba

nia

as w

ell

offer

s th

e In

nova

tion

Fun

d fo

r SM

Es a

s a

publ

ic g

rant

ded

icat

ed t

o Al

bani

an S

MEs

tha

t ha

ve t

heir

fo

cus

on in

nova

tion

and

tec

hnol

ogy

as w

ell a

s au

dit

of in

nova

tion

an

d te

chno

logy

nee

ds,

part

icip

atio

n in

inno

vati

on a

nd t

echn

olog

y na

tion

al a

nd i

nter

nati

onal

fai

rs,

purc

hase

of

tech

nolo

gy/i

nnov

a-ti

ve e

quip

men

t/m

achi

neri

es,

etc.

whi

le o

ther

eco

nom

ies

have

st

arte

d in

trod

ucin

g di

ffer

ent

inno

vati

on v

ouch

er s

chem

es o

n a

smal

ler

scal

e. U

nder

the

Wes

tern

Bal

kans

Ent

erpr

ise

Deve

lopm

ent

and

Inno

vati

on F

acili

ty (

WB

EDIF

), t

he W

orld

Ban

k is

im

plem

ent-

ing

tech

nica

l as

sist

ance

to

supp

ort

deve

lopm

ent

of a

n en

ablin

g ve

ntur

e ca

pita

l ec

osys

tem

and

ass

ist

wit

h in

vest

men

t re

adin

ess

of S

MEs

. U

nder

thi

s pr

ogra

mm

e, t

he W

orld

Ban

k is

con

duct

ing

an

asse

ssm

ent

of t

he v

entu

re c

apit

al e

nvir

onm

ent

in t

he W

este

rn

Balk

ans

and

is h

elpi

ng p

ut in

pla

ce t

he r

ight

legi

slat

ive

fram

ewor

k fo

r in

vest

men

t fu

nds.

So

far,

the

asse

ssm

ent

has

been

com

plet

ed

in A

lban

ia a

nd T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia.

In-

vest

men

t re

adin

ess

pilo

ts a

re a

lso

bein

g im

plem

ente

d th

roug

hout

th

e re

gion

.

The

EU4T

ech

proj

ect,

men

tion

ed a

bove

, has

rev

iew

ed t

he e

xist

ing

avai

labl

e TT

fina

ncia

l in

stru

men

ts in

reg

ion.

Bas

ed o

n th

e id

enti

-fie

d ga

ps J

RC’s

the

mat

ic e

xper

tise

and

EIB

’s fi

nanc

ial

know

-how

w

ill b

e us

ed i

n a

syne

rget

ic w

ay t

o la

unch

a s

mal

l-sc

ale

Wes

tern

Ba

lkan

s 6

pilo

t in

itia

tive

fun

ded

thro

ugh

the

mul

ti-c

ount

ry I

PA,

whi

ch w

ill r

epre

sent

the

nex

t, a

nd fi

rst

prac

tica

l, s

tage

in

the

effor

ts t

o co

ver

the

so c

alle

d “v

alle

y of

dea

th”

betw

een

rese

arch

an

d in

dust

ry.

58 59


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.III

. M

obili

tyIII

. 1.

Mob

ility

of

Rese

arch

ers

All

of t

he W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve s

tepp

ed u

p eff

orts

to

prio

riti

se a

nd r

emov

e ob

stac

les

to m

obili

ty o

f re

sear

cher

s re

sult

ing

in o

vera

ll go

od p

rogr

ess

on

rem

ovin

g ob

stac

les

to m

obili

ty o

f re

sear

cher

s. A

ll of

the

WB6

hav

e pr

iori

tise

d m

obili

ty o

f re

sear

cher

s in

the

ir r

espe

ctiv

e s

trat

egic

fra

mew

orks

. In

re-

spon

se t

o th

e id

enti

fied

obst

acle

s to

mob

ility

of

rese

arch

ers,

whi

ch in

clud

e fin

anci

al b

arri

ers,

maj

orit

y of

the

eco

nom

ies

have

cre

ated

gra

nt s

chem

es t

o su

ppor

t m

obili

ty o

f re

sear

cher

s at

the

leve

l of

indi

vidu

al e

cono

mie

s.

Wit

h re

gard

s to

act

ions

aim

ed a

t su

ppor

ting

res

earc

h in

fras

truc

ture

and

the

dev

elop

men

t of

cen

tres

of e

xcel

lenc

e in

the

reg

ion

prog

ress

has

bee

n sl

ower

an

d va

riat

ion

betw

een

econ

omie

s m

ore

prom

inen

t. A

ll th

e W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ap

art

from

Kos

ovo*

hav

e re

pres

enta

tive

s in

the

Eur

opea

n St

rate

gy F

orum

on

Rese

arch

Infr

astr

uctu

res

(ESF

RI).

Mon

tene

gro

com

plet

ed m

appi

ng o

f re

sear

ch in

fras

truc

ture

and

fina

lised

the

Res

earc

h In

fras

truc

ture

Roa

dmap

in li

ne

wit

h ES

FRI,

whi

le S

erbi

a is

in t

he fi

nal s

tage

of

com

plet

ing

the

map

ping

exe

rcis

e an

d th

e Re

sear

ch In

fras

truc

ture

Roa

dmap

.

II

I.

1.

1.

Rem

oval

of

ob

stac

les

to

mob

ility

of

re

sear

cher

s

a. I

dent

ify

lega

l ba

rrie

rs f

or o

pen

mer

it-b

ased

, co

mpe

titi

ve,

inte

rnat

iona

l re

crui

tmen

t sy

stem

an

d re

mov

e th

e id

enti

fied

lega

l bar

rier

s20

20Th

e W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve a

ssoc

iate

d st

atus

in H

2020

wit

h ex

cep-

tion

of

Koso

vo*

whi

ch h

as a

n in

tern

atio

nal

coop

erat

ion

part

ner

stat

us.

On

the

othe

r ha

nd,

in t

he E

urop

ean

Coop

erat

ion

in S

ci-

ence

and

Tec

hnol

ogy

(CO

ST)

prog

ram

me

only

Ser

bia,

Mon

tene

-gr

o, B

osni

a an

d H

erce

govi

na a

nd T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia h

ave

mem

bers

hip

stat

us.

The

aver

age

succ

ess

rate

for

al

l W

B ec

onom

ies

in H

oriz

on20

20 is

10.

9% c

ompa

red

to 1

4.6%

for

H

oriz

on 2

020

over

all.

Wit

h re

gard

s to

mob

ility

of

rese

arch

ers,

the

Mar

ie S

kłod

owsk

a-Cu

rie

acti

ons

(MSC

A) s

uppo

rt r

esea

rche

rs a

t al

l st

ages

of

thei

r ca

reer

s ac

ross

all

disc

iplin

es a

nd a

re o

pene

d to

all

WB6

eco

no-

mie

s.

How

ever

, re

sear

cher

s fr

om t

he W

B6 r

egio

n ha

ve d

ifficu

lty

acce

ssin

g th

e M

SCA,

as

they

fac

e di

fficu

ltie

s in

com

peti

ng a

gain

st

the

mor

e ad

vanc

ed r

esea

rch

syst

ems

of t

he E

U.

Ther

efor

e, H

o-ri

zon

2020

has

ope

ned

up a

spe

cial

sec

tion

to

supp

ort

part

icip

a-ti

on o

f re

sear

cher

s fr

om t

he W

B6 r

egio

n (a

nd e

lsew

here

) th

roug

h W

iden

ing

mea

sure

s, in

clud

ing

Twin

ning

, ER

A Ch

airs

and

Wid

enin

g Fe

llow

ship

s.

In a

ddit

ion

to M

SCA,

the

WB6

par

tici

pate

in t

he C

entr

al E

urop

ean

Exch

ange

Pro

gram

me

for

Uni

vers

ity

Stud

ies

(CEE

PUS)

exc

hang

e pr

ogra

mm

e w

hich

can

be

used

by

prof

esso

rs t

o un

dert

ake

mob

il-it

y re

late

d to

tea

chin

g in

Cen

tral

Eas

tern

Eur

ope

regi

on a

nd h

ave

a re

sear

ch c

ompo

nent

if r

elat

ed t

o te

achi

ng.

3

b. I

dent

ify

inst

itut

iona

l ba

rrie

rs t

o m

obili

ty o

f re

sear

cher

s,

incl

udin

g w

orki

ng

cond

itio

ns,

re-

crui

tmen

t sy

stem

s an

d pr

omot

ion

crit

eria

, an

d re

mov

e id

enti

fied

barr

iers

2020

c. D

evel

op m

echa

nism

s an

d m

easu

res

to s

uppo

rt

incr

ease

d m

obili

ty o

f re

sear

cher

s fr

om W

B6 t

o EU

w

ithi

n th

e ex

isti

ng m

obili

ty s

chem

es (f

or in

stan

ce

Wes

tern

Bal

kan

Win

dow

wit

hin

the

MSC

Act

ions

)

2019

d. D

evel

op a

nd i

mpl

emen

t a

pilo

t sc

hem

e to

su

ppor

t i

ncom

ing

mob

ility

of

pos

t-do

ctor

al r

e-se

arch

ers

to t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns w

ith

an a

im t

o bu

ild r

esea

rch

exce

llenc

e ne

twor

ks in

the

reg

ion

2019

e. M

ap t

he e

xist

ing

rese

arch

infr

astr

uctu

re in

the

re

gion

to

ensu

re t

rans

pare

nt a

nd a

vaila

ble

info

r-m

atio

n to

res

earc

hers

int

eres

ted

to c

oope

rate

w

ith

and

in t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns a

nd t

o id

enti

fy

gaps

2019

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.f.

Dev

elop

a n

ew r

egio

nal

Cent

re o

f Ex

celle

nce

to p

rom

ote

colla

bora

tion

bet

wee

n sc

ienc

e, t

ech-

nolo

gy a

nd i

ndus

try

and

to

prov

ide

a pl

atfo

rm

for

educ

atio

n of

you

ng s

cien

tist

s an

d en

gine

ers,

ba

sed

on t

he m

appi

ng a

nd t

he id

enti

fied

gaps

2020

Furt

herm

ore,

eac

h go

vern

men

t ha

s si

gned

sev

eral

bila

tera

l agr

ee-

men

ts w

ith

econ

omie

s of

the

reg

ion

and

outs

ide

the

regi

on t

o pr

o-m

ote

rese

arch

coo

pera

tion

. H

owev

er,

the

impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e bi

late

ral a

gree

men

ts is

oft

en h

inde

red

due

to t

he la

ck o

f fu

ndin

g fr

om t

he d

omes

tic

budg

ets.

All t

he W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ap

art

from

Kos

ovo*

hav

e re

pres

enta

tive

s in

th

e Eu

rope

an S

trat

egy

Foru

m o

n Re

sear

ch In

fras

truc

ture

s (E

SFRI

).

Mon

tene

gro

com

plet

ed m

appi

ng o

f re

sear

ch in

fras

truc

ture

and

fi-

nalis

ed t

he R

esea

rch

Infr

astr

uctu

re R

oadm

ap i

n lin

e w

ith

ESFR

I.

Serb

ia h

as i

niti

ated

a s

yste

mat

ic m

appi

ng o

f re

sear

ch i

nfra

stru

c-tu

re,

whi

le o

ther

eco

nom

ies

are

at a

ver

y ea

rly

stag

e.

In t

he W

B6 e

cono

mie

s, o

nly

Serb

ia h

as E

RIC

Coor

dina

tor.32

Ser

bia

is a

lso

in t

he p

roce

ss o

f ap

poin

ting

a R

epre

sent

ing

Enti

ty t

o jo

in

the

Cent

ral E

urop

ean

Rese

arch

Infr

astr

uctu

re C

onso

rtiu

m (

CERI

C-ER

IC).

Thi

s is

an

inte

grat

ed m

ulti

disc

iplin

ary

rese

arch

infr

astr

uc-

ture

, se

t up

as

an E

RIC

by A

ustr

ia,

Czec

h Re

publ

ic,

Ital

y, R

oman

ia,

Serb

ia a

nd S

love

nia.

CER

IC-E

RIC

is o

pen

to e

xter

nal b

asic

and

ap-

plie

d us

ers.

Seve

ral

dom

esti

c ce

ntre

s of

res

earc

h ex

celle

nce

have

bee

n cr

e-at

ed,

mos

t pr

omin

ent

bein

g th

e Bi

osen

se i

nsti

tute

in

Serb

ia a

nd

the

Bio-

ICT

Cent

re o

f Exc

elle

nce

in M

onte

negr

o. T

here

is a

s ye

t no

re

gion

al c

entr

e of

exc

elle

nce.

How

ever

, th

ere

is a

n in

itia

tive

led

by

Min

istr

y of

Sci

ence

of

Mon

tene

gro

to e

stab

lish

Sout

h Ea

st E

u-ro

pean

Inte

rnat

iona

l Ins

titu

te f

or S

usta

inab

le T

echn

olog

ies

aim

ing

to p

rom

ote

colla

bora

tion

bet

wee

n sc

ienc

e, t

echn

olog

y an

d in

dus-

try,

but

als

o to

pro

vide

pla

tfor

ms

for

the

educ

atio

n an

d tr

aini

ng

of y

oung

sci

enti

sts

and

engi

neer

s ba

sed

on k

now

ledg

e an

d te

ch-

nolo

gy t

rans

fer

from

Eur

opea

n la

bora

tori

es li

ke C

ERN

and

oth

ers.

Th

e in

itia

tive

has

rec

eive

d Le

tter

s of

Sup

port

fro

m t

he M

inis

ters

re

spon

sibl

e fo

r Sc

ienc

e fr

om a

ll W

B6 e

cono

mie

s, a

s w

ell a

s Cr

oa-

tia

and

Slov

enia

.

g. S

tren

gthe

ning

the

cap

acit

y of

EU

RAXE

SS o

ffice

s in

the

reg

ion

and

the

impl

emen

tati

on o

f Ch

arte

r an

d Co

de p

rinc

iple

s an

d Se

al o

f Ex

celle

nce

Cont

inuo

us

32 A

Eur

opea

n Re

sear

ch In

fras

truc

ture

Con

sort

ium

(ER

IC)

is a

lega

l sta

tus

gran

ted

by t

he E

urop

ean

Com

mis

sion

60 61


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.Al

l of

the

WB6

eco

nom

ies,

wit

h an

exc

epti

on o

f Ko

sovo

*, h

ave

es-

tabl

ishe

d th

e EU

RAXE

SS S

ervi

ce C

entr

es a

nd a

ssoc

iate

d EU

RAXE

SS

Jobs

Por

tals

, ye

t lit

tle

info

rmat

ion

on r

esea

rche

r jo

b va

canc

ies

in t

he r

egio

n is

ava

ilabl

e th

roug

h th

e EU

RAXE

SS p

orta

l. R

CC w

ill

supp

ort

the

netw

orki

ng o

f th

e EU

RAXE

SS c

onta

ct p

oint

s an

d th

e as

soci

ated

ser

vice

s to

bui

ld c

apac

ity

to s

uppo

rt r

esea

rche

rs f

rom

th

e W

B6 i

n ap

plyi

ng a

nd c

ompe

ting

suc

cess

fully

for

the

exi

stin

g EU

mob

ility

pro

gram

mes

.III

.2.

Mob

ility

of

Prof

essi

onal

sDe

spit

e in

itia

l del

ays,

the

pre

para

tory

wor

k ne

eded

to

open

neg

otia

tion

s on

Mut

ual R

ecog

niti

on A

gree

men

t of

Pro

fess

iona

l Qua

lifica

tion

s fo

r Do

ctor

s of

M

edic

ine,

Den

tist

s, A

rchi

tect

s an

d Ci

vil E

ngin

eers

has

bee

n co

mpl

eted

.

The

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Pro

fess

iona

l Q

ualifi

cati

ons

has

agre

ed o

n th

e 7t

h of

May

201

8 to

rec

omm

end

the

open

ing

of t

he n

egot

iati

ons

on

the

Mut

ual R

ecog

niti

on A

gree

men

t of

Pro

fess

iona

l Qua

lifica

tion

s fo

r Do

ctor

s of

Med

icin

e, D

enti

sts,

Arc

hite

cts

and

Civi

l Eng

inee

rs in

a m

ulti

late

ral f

ram

e-w

ork.

Bas

ed o

n th

e re

com

men

dati

on o

f th

e jo

int

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Pro

fess

iona

l Qua

lifica

tion

s th

e go

vern

men

ts o

f th

e W

B6 a

re e

xpec

ted

to p

rovi

de t

he m

anda

tes

and

to a

ppoi

nt t

he L

ead

Neg

otia

tor,

Depu

ty L

ead

Neg

otia

tor

and

the

nego

tiat

ion

team

s by

the

30t

h of

Jun

e 20

18.

In a

ddit

ion,

W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Reco

gnit

ion

of P

rofe

ssio

nal Q

ualifi

cati

ons

also

agr

eed

to r

ecom

men

d to

the

gov

ernm

ents

to

appo

int

a co

ordi

nato

r fo

r th

e Da

taba

se o

n Pr

ofes

sion

al Q

ualifi

cati

ons

in W

B6 w

ith

a m

anda

te t

o co

ordi

nate

the

dat

a co

llect

ion

and

subm

it t

he d

ata

to t

he D

atab

ase

on P

rofe

ssio

nal Q

ualifi

cati

ons

by t

he 3

0th

of J

une

2018

.

II

I.

2.

1.

Rem

oval

of

ob

stac

les

to

reco

gnit

ion

of

prof

es-

sion

al q

uali-

ficat

ions

a. O

pen

nego

tiat

ion

on m

utua

l rec

ogni

tion

agr

ee-

men

ts o

f pro

fess

iona

l qua

lifica

tion

s fo

r Do

ctor

s of

M

edic

ine,

Den

tist

s, A

rchi

tect

s an

d Ci

vil E

ngin

eers

in

a m

ulti

late

ral f

ram

ewor

k

2017

The

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Pro

fess

iona

l Q

ualifi

cati

ons

has

agre

ed o

n th

e 7t

h of

May

201

8 to

rec

omm

end

the

open

ing

of

the

nego

tiat

ions

on

the

Mut

ual

Reco

gnit

ion

Agre

emen

t of

Pro

fes-

sion

al Q

ualifi

cati

ons

for

Doct

ors

of M

edic

ine,

Den

tist

s, A

rchi

tect

s an

d Ci

vil E

ngin

eers

in a

mul

tila

tera

l fra

mew

ork.

Bas

ed o

n th

e re

c-om

men

dati

on o

f th

e Jo

int

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Pro

-fe

ssio

nal Q

ualifi

cati

ons

the

gove

rnm

ents

of

the

WB6

are

exp

ecte

d to

pro

vide

the

man

date

s an

d to

app

oint

the

Lea

d N

egot

iato

r, De

puty

Lea

d N

egot

iato

r an

d th

e ne

goti

atio

n te

ams

by t

he 3

0th

of

June

201

8. T

o fa

cilit

ate

the

inte

rnal

gov

ernm

enta

l pro

cedu

res

the

RCC

has

prov

ided

the

dra

ft l

egal

tex

t of

the

Mut

ual

Reco

gnit

ion

Agre

emen

t of

Pro

fess

iona

l Qua

lifica

tion

s fo

r Do

ctor

s of

Med

icin

e,

Dent

ists

, Arc

hite

cts

and

Civi

l Eng

inee

rs.

3

b. C

oncl

ude

nego

tiat

ions

on

mut

ual

reco

gnit

ion

agre

emen

ts o

f pro

fess

iona

l qua

lifica

tion

s fo

r Do

c-to

rs o

f M

edic

ine,

Den

tist

s, A

rchi

tect

s an

d Ci

vil

Engi

neer

s in

a m

ulti

late

ral f

ram

ewor

k

2019

c. E

stab

lish

the

Data

base

on

Prof

essi

onal

Qua

lifi-

cati

ons

and

Mob

ility

of P

rofe

ssio

nals

in 2

018

to b

e fu

lly o

pera

tion

by

Dece

mbe

r 20

1920

18

d. D

atab

ase

on P

rofe

ssio

nal

Qua

lifica

tion

s an

d M

obili

ty o

f Pr

ofes

sion

als

fully

ope

rati

onal

2019

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.e.

Bui

ld c

apac

ity

to f

acili

tate

the

dat

a an

d in

-fo

rmat

ion

colle

ctio

n fo

r th

e Da

taba

se o

n Pr

ofes

-si

onal

Qua

lifica

tion

s an

d M

obili

ty o

f Pr

ofes

sion

als

Cont

inuo

usO

nce

the

gove

rnm

ents

hav

e co

mpl

eted

the

inte

rnal

gov

ernm

enta

l pr

oced

ures

the

y ar

e to

inf

orm

the

RCC

Sec

reta

ry G

ener

al.

Onc

e al

l W

B6 h

ave

com

plet

ed t

he p

roce

dure

s an

d ha

ve i

nfor

med

the

RC

C Se

cret

ary

Gen

eral

the

firs

t m

eeti

ng o

f th

e ne

goti

atin

g te

ams

will

be

calle

d by

the

RCC

whe

re t

he R

ules

of

Proc

edur

es f

or t

he

nego

tiat

ions

will

be

disc

usse

d. I

f al

l th

e go

vern

men

ts h

ave

com

-pl

eted

the

ir p

roce

dure

s an

d in

form

ed t

he R

CC S

ecre

tary

Gen

eral

th

ereo

f by

the

30t

h of

Jun

e 20

18 a

s ag

reed

, th

e fir

st m

eeti

ng o

f th

e ne

goti

atin

g te

ams

coul

d ta

ke p

lace

in J

uly

2018

.

In a

ddit

ion,

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Pro

fess

iona

l Qua

lifi-

cati

ons

also

agr

eed

to r

ecom

men

d to

the

gov

ernm

ents

to

appo

int

a co

ordi

nato

r fo

r th

e Da

taba

se o

n Pr

ofes

sion

al Q

ualifi

cati

ons

in

WB6

wit

h a

man

date

to

coor

dina

te t

he d

ata

colle

ctio

n an

d su

bmit

th

e da

ta t

o th

e Da

taba

se o

n Pr

ofes

sion

al Q

ualifi

cati

ons

by t

he

30th

of J

une

2018

. To

faci

litat

e th

e es

tabl

ishm

ent

of t

he D

atab

ase

on P

rofe

ssio

nal

Qua

lifica

tion

s in

WB6

the

RCC

has

con

trac

ted

a se

rvic

e pr

ovid

er t

o cr

eate

the

Dat

abas

e on

Pro

fess

iona

l Qua

lifica

-ti

ons.

The

init

ial d

ata

for

the

Hea

lth

and

Cons

truc

tion

sec

tors

has

al

read

y be

en c

olle

cted

by

the

RCC.

The

refo

re,

once

the

gov

ern-

men

ts h

ave

appo

inte

d th

e co

ordi

nato

rs f

or t

he D

atab

ase

on P

ro-

fess

iona

l Q

ualifi

cati

ons

the

veri

ficat

ion

of t

he d

ata,

upo

n w

hich

th

e la

unch

ing

of D

atab

ase

depe

nds,

will

be

poss

ible

.

f.

Exp

lore

pos

sibi

litie

s to

ope

n ne

goti

atio

ns a

nd

conc

lude

mut

ual r

ecog

niti

on a

gree

men

ts in

oth

er

sect

ors

and

prof

essi

ons

of m

utua

l int

eres

t20

18-2

020

III.3

. M

obili

ty o

f St

uden

ts a

nd H

ighl

y Sk

illed

The

acti

ons

aim

ed a

t re

mov

ing

obst

acle

s to

rec

ogni

tion

of

acad

emic

qua

lifica

tion

s ar

e ah

ead

of t

he p

lann

ed s

ched

ule

outl

ined

in M

AP R

EA.

The

Wor

k-in

g G

roup

on

Reco

gnit

ion

of A

cade

mic

Qua

lifica

tion

s ha

s ag

reed

to

laun

ch t

he j

oint

exe

rcis

e on

rec

ogni

tion

of

acad

emic

qua

lifica

tion

s, h

as d

raft

ed t

he

init

ial p

ropo

sal o

n th

e jo

int

onlin

e sy

stem

to

shar

e in

form

atio

n, in

clud

ing

on h

ighe

r ed

ucat

ion

inst

itut

ions

, qu

alifi

cati

ons

and

deci

sion

s ta

ken,

ava

ilabl

e to

EN

IC/N

ARIC

cen

tres

and

Min

istr

ies

resp

onsi

ble

for

high

er e

duca

tion

in

the

regi

on,

and

has

disc

usse

d pr

opos

als

on p

roce

dure

for

fas

t tr

ack

reco

gni-

tion

of

high

er e

duca

tion

qua

lifica

tion

s. F

urth

erm

ore,

reg

ular

mee

ting

s of

a n

etw

ork

of E

NIC

/NAR

IC c

entr

es a

nd t

he Q

ualit

y As

sura

nce

Agen

cies

hav

e be

en in

itia

ted.

Fur

ther

mor

e, t

he r

egio

nal a

ctio

ns w

ere

supp

orte

d by

sig

nific

ant

nati

onal

eff

orts

to

sim

plif

y th

e pr

oced

ures

for

rec

ogni

tion

of

acad

emic

qu

alifi

cati

ons.

62 63


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

II

I.

3.

1.

Rem

oval

of

ob

stac

les

to

reco

gnit

ion

of a

cade

mic

q

ua

lifi

ca

-ti

ons

a. D

raft

a p

ropo

sal

on p

roce

dure

for

fas

t tr

ack

reco

gnit

ion

of

high

er

educ

atio

n qu

alifi

cati

ons

spec

ifyi

ng c

rite

ria

for

fast

tra

ck r

ecog

niti

on i

n th

e re

gion

, on

the

bas

is o

f N

atio

nal

Qua

lifica

-ti

on F

ram

ewor

ks (

NQ

Fs)

bein

g de

velo

ped

in a

c-co

rdan

ce w

ith

the

Bolo

gna

Proc

ess

and

othe

r EU

no

rms,

as

a ba

sis

for

esta

blis

hed

lear

ning

out

-co

mes

and

thu

s re

cogn

itio

n

2018

The

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Aca

dem

ic Q

ualifi

cati

ons

has

been

for

mal

ised

in D

ecem

ber

2017

. Th

e W

orki

ng G

roup

on

Reco

g-ni

tion

of A

cade

mic

Qua

lifica

tion

s op

erat

iona

lised

and

set

for

war

d an

am

biti

ous

tim

elin

e to

ach

ieve

the

obj

ecti

ves

set

out

by t

he

MAP

REA

ahe

ad o

f th

e in

itia

l sch

edul

e.

Sinc

e De

cem

ber

the

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Aca

dem

ic

Qua

lifica

tion

s ha

s ag

reed

to

laun

ch t

he j

oint

exe

rcis

e on

rec

ogni

-ti

on o

f ac

adem

ic q

ualifi

cati

ons

wit

h an

obj

ecti

ve t

o id

enti

fy s

imi-

lari

ties

/diff

eren

ces

in r

ecog

niti

on o

f fo

reig

n de

gree

s; t

o an

alys

e an

d di

scus

s th

e di

ffer

ence

s an

d to

sug

gest

fur

ther

joi

nt a

ctio

n to

de

crea

se t

he d

iffer

ence

s ba

sed

on w

hich

Joi

nt G

uide

s on

Rec

ogni

-ti

on o

f Aca

dem

ic Q

ualifi

cati

ons

will

be

prep

ared

. Diff

eren

t m

odel

s fo

r the

rec

ogni

tion

of a

cade

mic

qua

lifica

tion

s ha

ve b

een

disc

usse

d by

the

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Aca

dem

ic Q

ualifi

cati

ons.

An

ini

tial

set

of

prin

cipl

es f

or r

ecog

niti

on o

f ac

adem

ic q

ualifi

ca-

tion

s ha

s be

en d

iscu

ssed

and

is t

o be

fina

lised

at

the

next

mee

ting

of

the

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Aca

dem

ic Q

ualifi

cati

ons.

In a

ddit

ion,

to

faci

litat

e in

form

atio

n ex

chan

ge a

nd in

crea

se t

rans

-pa

renc

y an

d co

oper

atio

n in

rec

ogni

tion

of

acad

emic

qua

lifica

-ti

ons,

a r

egio

nal d

ialo

gue

and

regu

lar

mee

ting

s of

the

EN

IC/N

ARIC

ce

ntre

s an

d th

e Q

ualit

y As

sura

nce

Agen

cies

in t

he W

B6 h

ave

been

es

tabl

ishe

d.

Furt

herm

ore,

the

Wor

king

Gro

up o

n Re

cogn

itio

n of

Aca

dem

ic

Qua

lifica

tion

s ha

s ag

reed

on

an in

itia

l con

cept

of

the

join

t on

line

syst

em t

o sh

are

info

rmat

ion,

inc

ludi

ng o

n hi

gher

edu

cati

on i

n-st

itut

ions

, qu

alifi

cati

ons

and

deci

sion

s ta

ken,

ava

ilabl

e to

EN

IC/

NAR

IC c

entr

es a

nd M

inis

trie

s re

spon

sibl

e fo

r hi

gher

edu

cati

on i

n th

e W

B6 w

hich

put

s th

e pr

oces

s si

gnifi

cant

ly a

head

of

the

pro-

pose

d sc

hedu

le.

The

first

mee

ting

of

the

ENIC

/NAR

I offi

ces

and

the

QA

bodi

es i

n th

e re

gion

was

hel

d in

Mar

ch 2

018.

4

IV.

Digi

tal i

nteg

rati

on

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.IV

. 1.

Dig

ital

env

iron

men

t ne

twor

ks a

nd s

ervi

ces,

con

nect

ivit

y an

d ac

cess

Dig

ital

infr

astr

uctu

re d

evel

opm

ent

and

regi

onal

con

nect

ivit

y: W

B6 a

re a

t a

mod

erat

e le

vel o

f pr

epar

atio

n in

reg

ard

to t

rans

posi

tion

of

the

EU B

road

-ba

nd C

ost

Redu

ctio

n Di

rect

ive

wit

h Al

bani

a an

d Th

e Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

hav

ing

tran

spos

ed it

whi

le t

he o

ther

thr

ee e

cono

mie

s ar

e at

pr

epar

atio

n st

age.

The

pre

para

tion

of

the

broa

dban

d in

fras

truc

ture

map

ping

is o

ngoi

ng in

all

econ

omie

s an

d th

ere

is g

ood

pros

pect

for

the

bro

adba

nd

map

ping

to

have

mat

ure

adva

ncem

ent

duri

ng 2

018

in a

ll ec

onom

ies

alth

ough

the

act

ion

is t

o be

com

plet

ed b

y 20

20,

exce

pt i

n Th

e Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

, w

here

bro

adba

nd m

appi

ng i

s fin

ishe

d. R

egio

nal

exch

ange

on

busi

ness

inc

enti

ve m

odel

s/us

e of

PPP

s an

d re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

on

com

mer

cial

isat

ion

of s

pare

fibr

e op

tic

asse

ts is

yet

to

be d

etai

led

and

deve

lope

d. 4

out

of

6 re

gula

tors

fro

m W

B6 h

ave

an o

bser

ver

stat

us t

o BE

REC

and

thei

r di

alog

ue w

ithi

n th

e co

ntex

t of

BER

EC is

impr

ovin

g. T

here

is h

owev

er n

eed

to d

efine

pro

per

mec

hani

sms

for

Bosn

ia a

nd H

erze

govi

na a

nd K

osov

o* t

o be

par

t of

thi

s di

alog

ue,

alth

ough

no

spec

ific

acti

ons

have

bee

n un

dert

aken

dur

ing

the

repo

rtin

g. A

ddit

iona

lly,

Bosn

ia a

nd H

erze

govi

na a

nd K

osov

o* a

re

not

inte

grat

ed in

GÉA

NT

whi

le o

ther

fou

r ec

onom

ies

part

icip

ate,

not

ver

y ac

tive

ly t

houg

h. F

or t

he la

ter,

ther

e is

a p

ropo

sal o

n cr

oss-

bord

er c

onne

ctiv

ity

of W

B N

REN

s pr

iori

tise

d in

the

SEE

2020

Pro

gram

min

g Do

cum

ent

2018

-202

0 th

at c

an b

e fu

rthe

r de

velo

ped

wit

h th

e su

ppor

t of

don

ors.

Har

mon

ise

spec

trum

pol

icy

to e

nsur

e ti

mel

y an

d effi

cien

t av

aila

bilit

y an

d bo

ost

depl

oym

ent

of s

tand

ardi

sed

5G n

etw

orks

: WB6

are

at

an e

arly

leve

l of

pre

para

tion

in s

pect

rum

pol

icy

harm

onis

atio

n. T

here

is u

neve

n de

velo

pmen

t in

fre

eing

up

freq

uenc

ies.

Alb

ania

, Bo

snia

and

Her

zego

vina

and

Kos

ovo*

ha

ve n

ot c

ompl

eted

the

DSO

pro

cess

; Al

bani

a -

DD1

free

, 80

0 M

Hz;

Mon

tene

gro

-700

MH

z fr

ee,

Koso

vo*

the

tend

erin

g to

allo

w u

sing

of

unus

ed m

obile

sp

ectr

um in

pro

gres

s. In

itia

l reg

iona

l dia

logu

e on

spe

ctru

m p

olic

y ha

rmon

isat

ion

took

pla

ce a

t W

B6 r

egio

nal m

eeti

ng,

5th

Apri

l - a

ded

icat

ed m

eeti

ng t

o be

org

anis

ed a

t th

e la

test

by

June

201

8. A

ddit

iona

lly,

broa

der

coor

dina

tion

on

radi

o sp

ectr

um is

sues

tak

es p

lace

wit

hin

RSPG

reg

iona

l gro

up,

SEDD

IF a

s w

ell a

s w

ithi

n W

RC-1

9 pr

epar

ator

y pr

oces

s. A

mul

tila

tera

l fra

mew

ork

agre

emen

t be

twee

n al

l SED

DIF

mem

bers

(w

ith

the

exce

ptio

n of

Alb

ania

) is

alr

eady

si

gned

in D

ecem

ber

2017

. Ye

t, n

o re

gion

al d

iscu

ssio

n ha

s st

arte

d on

hav

ing

a re

gion

al p

osit

ion

and

stan

ding

on

spec

trum

pol

icy.

Coor

dina

te r

oam

ing

polic

ies

tow

ards

a r

oam

ing

free

eco

nom

ic a

rea:

Reg

iona

l Roa

min

g Ag

reem

ent

amon

gst

4 ec

onom

ies

is s

ucce

ssfu

lly im

plem

ente

d.

WB6

are

com

mit

ted

to e

xpan

d th

e ge

ogra

phic

sco

pe o

f th

e cu

rren

t ag

reem

ent

and

to c

onti

nue

wor

king

on

a su

cces

sor

agre

emen

t –

cons

ider

atio

n of

RL

AH w

ithi

n W

B6 t

o be

tab

led.

Exp

erie

nce

of E

U in

par

ticu

lar

for

RLAH

mod

el w

ill b

e fu

rthe

r ex

plor

ed a

nd u

sed.

Alb

ania

and

Kos

ovo*

hav

e ex

pres

sed

thei

r w

illin

gnes

s to

join

RRA

and

fur

ther

ste

ps a

re t

o be

tak

en. A

Roa

dmap

to

faci

litat

e lo

wer

ing

the

cost

s of

roa

min

g as

par

t of

the

Enl

arge

men

t St

rate

gy

WB6

Dig

ital

Age

nda

to b

e de

velo

ped

by E

C an

d pr

esen

ted

duri

ng t

he S

ofia

Sum

mit

. Im

pact

ass

essm

ent

of a

bolis

hmen

t of

roa

min

g ch

arge

s w

ith

EU is

in

prog

ress

and

pre

limin

ary

resu

lts

are

expe

cted

by

the

Sofia

Sum

mit

.

64 65


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

IV

.1

.1

Boos

t di

gita

l in

fras

tru

c-tu

re

deve

l-op

men

t an

d r

eg

ion

al

con

ne

ctiv

-it

y,

whi

le

crea

ting

a

leve

l pl

ay-

ing

field

for

di

gita

l ne

t-w

orks

an

d se

rvic

es

to

flou

rish

a. A

dvan

ce r

ight

/int

rodu

ce p

olic

y an

d re

gula

tory

m

easu

res

that

wou

ld i

ncen

tivi

se i

nves

tmen

ts i

n hi

gh s

peed

bro

adba

nd n

etw

orks

, in

clud

ing

tran

s-po

siti

on o

f EU

dir

ecti

ve 2

014/

61/E

U

Cont

inuo

us

a. W

B6 a

re a

t a m

oder

ate

leve

l of p

repa

rati

on in

rega

rd to

tran

spo-

siti

on o

f th

e EU

Bro

adba

nd C

ost

Redu

ctio

n Di

rect

ive;

Alb

ania

and

Th

e Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

alr

eady

tra

nspo

sed

it w

hile

the

oth

er t

hree

eco

nom

ies

are

at p

repa

rati

on s

tage

. In

Ko

sovo

*, t

he fi

rst

draf

t of

the

law

is p

repa

red

and

a TA

IEX

mis

sion

is

exp

ecte

d to

sup

port

wit

h th

e sc

reen

ing.

b. T

he p

repa

rati

on o

f th

e br

oadb

and

infr

astr

uctu

re m

appi

ng i

s on

goin

g in

all

econ

omie

s. N

amel

y, A

lban

ia h

as a

n br

oadb

and

atla

s th

at i

s re

gula

rly

upda

ted

– W

BIF

appl

icat

ion

for

the

feas

ibili

ty

stud

y on

reg

iona

l bro

adba

nd d

evel

opm

ent

is a

lso

pend

ing

appr

ov-

al;

Koso

vo*

is in

the

pro

cess

– e

xten

ded

broa

dban

d in

fras

truc

ture

4

pilo

t pr

ojec

ts la

unch

ed a

nd c

ontr

acts

sig

ned

and

the

uplo

adin

g of

info

rmat

ion

on e

lect

roni

c co

mm

unic

atio

n in

fras

truc

ture

to

the

dom

esti

c da

taba

se i

n pr

ogre

ss;

Mon

tene

gro

- th

e pr

oces

s is

on-

goin

g an

d ex

pect

ed t

o ad

vanc

e du

ring

201

8; S

erbi

a, t

he L

aw o

n El

ectr

onic

Com

mun

icat

ion

is i

n ap

prov

al p

roce

ss –

ena

blin

g th

e fix

ed b

road

band

map

ping

, w

hile

the

mob

ile b

road

band

map

ping

is

com

plet

ed;

in T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia O

pera

-ti

onal

Bro

adba

nd P

lan

is e

xpec

ted

to b

e co

mpl

eted

dur

ing

2018

. Th

e m

appi

ng o

f cu

rren

t N

GA

infr

astr

uctu

re a

nd i

dent

ifyi

ng t

he

area

s fo

r in

terv

enti

on (

whi

te z

ones

) is

fina

lised

; in

Bos

nia

and

Her

zego

vina

the

map

ping

re-

star

ed a

nd t

he d

ata

colle

ctio

n fr

om

the

enti

ties

is o

ngoi

ng.

c. C

erta

in b

usin

ess

and

PPP

mod

els

are

deve

lope

d in

som

e ec

ono-

mie

s an

d in

tere

st f

rom

IFIs

has

incr

ease

d. T

his

need

s to

be

mor

e pr

oact

ivel

y sh

ared

at

a re

gion

al l

evel

as

econ

omie

s sh

are

man

y si

mila

riti

es. I

n Se

rbia

, the

EBR

D pr

ojec

t la

unch

ed in

201

6 w

ill s

up-

port

iden

tific

atio

n of

cos

t ne

eded

for

fur

ther

bro

adba

nd d

evel

op-

men

t –

incl

udin

g po

tent

ial

busi

ness

mod

els;

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

inte

nds

to e

stab

lish

BCO

to

impr

ove

broa

d-ba

nd c

onne

ctiv

ity

in r

ural

are

as.

2.1

b. C

ompl

ete

outs

tand

ing

broa

dban

d in

fras

truc

-tu

re m

appi

ng a

nd p

erfo

rm a

naly

sis

of b

road

band

m

arke

ts a

nd id

enti

fy n

etw

ork

cove

rage

gap

s an

d in

vest

men

ts,

as w

ell a

s po

licy

mea

sure

s re

quir

ed

to b

ridg

e th

ose

gaps

2020

c. E

stab

lish

regu

lar

exch

ange

on

busi

ness

inc

en-

tive

mod

els

for

rura

l an

d un

ders

erve

d ar

eas

and

on t

he u

se o

f PP

Ps t

o ad

dres

s lo

w c

onne

ctiv

ity

2018

-on-

war

ds

d. E

stab

lish

regi

onal

dia

logu

e o

n co

mm

erci

alis

a-ti

on o

f sp

are

fibre

opt

ic a

sset

s; i

dent

ify

and

ad-

dres

s le

gal a

nd r

egul

ator

y co

nstr

aint

s an

d im

ple-

men

t th

e ag

reed

com

mer

cial

isat

ion

mod

el

2017

-202

0

e. S

tren

gthe

n re

gula

tory

dia

logu

e am

ongs

t al

l W

B6 r

egul

ator

s, a

s pa

rt o

f BE

REC

Cont

inuo

us

f. C

ompl

ete

regi

onal

int

erco

nnec

tion

and

int

e-gr

atio

n in

to t

he p

an-E

urop

ean

GÉA

NT

2023

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.d.

The

eco

nom

y-le

vel

intr

a-se

ctor

al d

ialo

gue

has

been

est

ab-

lishe

d, e

spec

ially

in v

iew

of

the

ongo

ing

Wor

ld B

ank’

s St

udy

(Sup

-po

rt t

o fo

ster

inf

rast

ruct

ure

shar

ing

in t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns).

M

appi

ng o

f po

tent

ial s

pare

opt

ic fi

bres

in a

lmos

t al

l eco

nom

ies

is

unde

rtak

en a

nd a

war

enes

s on

the

nee

d to

opt

imis

e th

eir

use

has

incr

ease

d. T

here

is

a ne

ed t

houg

h to

est

ablis

h a

prop

er r

egio

nal

dial

ogue

upo

n co

mpl

etio

n of

the

Wor

ld B

ank

Stud

y, w

hich

sho

uld

prov

ide

info

rmat

ion

and

iden

tify

com

mer

cial

mod

els

for

addr

ess-

ing

spar

e fib

re c

apac

itie

s.

e. 4

out

of

6 re

gula

tors

fro

m W

B6 h

ave

an o

bser

ver

stat

us t

o BE

-RE

C an

d th

eir

dial

ogue

wit

hin

the

cont

ext

of B

EREC

is im

prov

ing.

Th

ere

is n

eed

thou

gh t

o de

fine

prop

er m

echa

nism

s fo

r Bo

snia

and

H

erze

govi

na a

nd K

osov

o* t

o be

par

t of

thi

s di

alog

ue.

f. B

osni

a an

d H

erze

govi

na a

nd K

osov

o* a

re n

ot i

nteg

rate

d in

GÉ-

ANT

whi

le in

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

onl

y on

e un

iver

sity

is

inte

grat

ed i

n th

e ne

twor

k. B

y th

e en

d of

201

8, t

wo

mor

e st

ate

univ

ersi

ties

will

be

conn

ecte

d th

roug

h M

ARN

ET t

o G

É-AN

T. A

ltho

ugh

regi

onal

int

erco

nnec

tion

and

int

egra

tion

is

to b

e co

mpl

eted

by

2023

adv

ance

men

t ca

n be

rea

ched

thr

ough

reg

iona

l ac

tion

s. T

here

is

a pr

opos

al o

n cr

oss-

bord

er c

onne

ctiv

ity

of W

B N

REN

s pr

iori

tise

d in

the

SEE

2020

Pro

gram

min

g Do

cum

ent

2018

-20

20 t

hat

can

be f

urth

er d

evel

oped

wit

h th

e su

ppor

t of

don

ors.

66 67


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

IV

.1

.2

Ha

rmo

niz

e s

pe

ct

rum

po

licy

to e

n-su

re

tim

ely

and

effici

ent

av

ail

ab

il-

ity

and

boos

t de

ploy

men

t of

sta

ndar

d-is

ed 5

G n

et-

wor

ks

a.

Esta

blis

h pr

edic

tabl

e,

cons

iste

nt,

and

har-

mon

ised

spe

ctru

m p

olic

y on

reg

iona

l le

vel

and

stre

ngth

en

regi

onal

co

oper

atio

n on

sp

ectr

um

polic

y ha

rmon

isat

ion

for

5G,

as w

ell a

s fo

r di

sas-

ter

and

emer

genc

y se

rvic

es

Cont

inuo

us

a. W

B6 a

re a

t an

ear

ly le

vel o

f pre

para

tion

in s

pect

rum

pol

icy

har-

mon

isat

ion.

Reg

ulat

ory

and

inst

itut

iona

l fra

mew

orks

tha

t pr

ovid

e fo

r effi

cien

t ov

eral

l spe

ctru

m m

anag

emen

t ar

e in

pla

ce a

cros

s th

e re

gion

. Th

ere

is u

neve

n de

velo

pmen

t in

fre

eing

up

freq

uenc

ies.

Al

bani

a, B

osni

a an

d H

erze

govi

na a

nd K

osov

o* h

ave

not

com

plet

ed

the

DSO

pro

cess

; In

Alb

ania

, it

is e

xpec

ted

that

70%

of

the

popu

-la

tion

will

be

cove

red

wit

h di

gita

l se

rvic

e by

Jul

y 20

18,

DD1

free

fo

r 80

0 M

Hz;

Mon

tene

gro

-700

MH

z fr

ee;

Koso

vo*

the

tend

erin

g to

al

low

usi

ng o

f un

used

mob

ile s

pect

rum

is in

pro

gres

s.

Broa

der

coor

dina

tion

on

radi

o sp

ectr

um is

sues

tak

es p

lace

wit

hin

RSPG

reg

iona

l gro

up, S

EDDI

F as

wel

l as

wit

hin

WRC

-19

prep

arat

ory

proc

ess.

A m

ulti

late

ral

fram

ewor

k ag

reem

ent

betw

een

all

SED-

DIF

mem

bers

(w

ith

the

exce

ptio

n of

Alb

ania

) is

alr

eady

sig

ned

in

Dece

mbe

r 20

17.

Init

ial

regi

onal

dia

logu

e on

spe

ctru

m p

olic

y ha

rmon

isat

ion

took

pl

ace

at W

este

rn B

alka

ns R

oam

ing

Polic

y M

eeti

ng,

held

on

Apri

l 5t

h 20

18 in

Bru

ssel

s. A

ded

icat

ed m

eeti

ng in

thi

s re

gard

to

be o

r-ga

nise

d by

the

end

of

May

- be

ginn

ing

of J

une

2018

.

Goo

d ad

vanc

emen

t in

5G

is

also

not

ed i

n M

onte

negr

o an

d Th

e Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

.

b. O

n W

RC,

econ

omie

s pa

rtic

ipat

e in

depe

nden

tly

in W

RC’s

wor

k.

Koso

vo*

is in

tere

sted

to

part

icip

ate

in it

s w

ork

and

othe

r re

gion

al

grou

ps r

elat

ed t

o sp

ectr

um p

olic

y m

anag

emen

t.

Yet,

no

regi

onal

dis

cuss

ion

has

star

ted

on h

avin

g a

regi

onal

pos

i-ti

on a

nd s

tand

ing

on W

RC,

CEPT

/ECO

2.5

b. C

oord

inat

e re

gion

al p

osit

ions

for

the

Wor

ld R

a-di

o Co

nfer

ence

(W

RC),

CEP

T/EC

OCo

ntin

uous

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

IV.

1.3

Co

or

di

-na

te

roam

-in

g po

licie

s to

war

ds

a r

oa

mi

ng

free

ec

o-no

mic

are

a

a.

Cont

inue

re

gion

al

coor

dina

tion

on

ro

amin

g po

licie

s to

war

ds a

roa

min

g fr

ee e

cono

mic

are

a an

d pr

epar

e m

id-t

erm

Act

ion

Plan

for

alig

ning

ro

amin

g po

licie

s w

ith

EU R

LAH

mod

el

2018

a. R

egio

nal

Roam

ing

Agre

emen

t am

ongs

t 4

econ

omie

s (i

.e.

Bos-

nia

and

Her

zego

vina

, M

onte

negr

o, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia a

nd S

erbi

a) i

s su

cces

sful

ly i

mpl

emen

ted.

The

WB6

Ro

amin

g Po

licy

mee

ting

hel

d in

Bru

ssel

s on

5th

Apr

il 20

18 c

ase

show

ed t

he t

rend

s in

the

4 p

arti

cipa

ting

eco

nom

ies,

hig

hlig

htin

g th

e ne

ed t

o fo

cus

mor

e on

dat

a ra

ther

tha

n vo

ice;

WB6

con

firm

ed

the

will

ingn

ess

of t

he W

B6 t

o ex

tend

the

sco

pe o

f th

e ag

reem

ent

and

wor

k on

a n

ew s

ucce

ssor

agr

eem

ent,

pot

enti

ally

wit

h pr

ovi-

sion

s of

RLA

H w

ithi

n W

B6.

Expe

rien

ce o

f EU

in p

arti

cula

r fo

r RL

AH

mod

el w

ill b

e fu

rthe

r ex

plor

ed a

nd u

sed.

Alba

nia

and

Koso

vo*

have

exp

ress

ed t

heir

will

ingn

ess

to j

oin

RRA

and

offici

al l

ette

rs t

o in

form

oth

er 4

eco

nom

ies

are

subm

itte

d.

Tech

nica

l and

pro

cedu

ral t

alks

will

fol

low

in t

his

rega

rd.

b. A

mul

ti-s

take

hold

er a

ppro

ach

wit

h re

gard

to

roam

ing

polic

y is

es

tabl

ishe

d th

roug

hout

WB6

. Al

bani

a ha

s or

gani

sed

a ro

und

tabl

e w

ith

oper

ator

s on

25

Janu

ary

2018

whi

le r

egul

ar r

egio

nal

mee

t-in

gs a

mon

gst

ICT

min

istr

ies

and

regu

lato

rs f

rom

WB6

are

org

an-

ised

. Re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

to d

eepe

n co

oper

atio

n in

roa

min

g po

licy

was

hel

d du

ring

the

WB6

mee

ting

on

roam

ing

polic

y ha

rmon

isa-

tion

(i.

e. B

russ

els,

5th

Apr

il 20

18).

WB6

eco

nom

ies

disc

uss

coor

dina

tion

of

roam

ing

polic

y in

reg

u-la

r re

gion

al m

eeti

ngs

faci

litat

ed t

hrou

gh R

CC a

nd t

here

is a

n ex

-pr

esse

d w

illin

gnes

s an

d ne

ed t

o co

ntin

ue t

his

dial

ogue

in

the

fu-

ture

, al

so w

ith

the

help

and

fac

ilita

tion

of

RCC

and

EU..

c. R

CC h

as c

omm

issi

oned

the

con

sult

ancy

to

asse

ss t

he im

pact

of

the

roam

ing

char

ges.

The

ToR

has

bee

n pr

epar

ed a

nd t

he c

ontr

act

wit

h th

e co

nsul

tant

sig

ned.

The

pre

limin

ary

resu

lts

to b

e re

ady

prio

r to

Sofi

a Su

mm

it.

The

Road

map

to

faci

litat

e lo

wer

ing

the

cost

s of

roa

min

g as

par

t of

the

Enl

arge

men

t St

rate

gy,

whi

ch i

s pa

rt o

f th

e W

B6 D

igit

al A

gend

a to

be

deve

lope

d by

EC.

3

b. F

ollo

w a

mul

ti-s

take

hold

er a

ppro

ach

to g

uar-

ante

e tr

ansp

aren

cy a

nd p

redi

ctab

ility

so

that

all

rele

vant

vie

ws

and

expe

rtis

e on

roa

min

g po

licie

s ar

e su

ffici

entl

y ac

coun

ted

for

Cont

inuo

us

c. A

sses

s im

pact

of a

bolis

hmen

t of

roa

min

g ch

arg-

es in

the

EU

on

WB6

in a

reg

iona

l pos

itio

n pa

per

2018

68 69


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.IV

.2.T

rust

and

sec

urit

y in

dig

ital

ser

vice

sEn

hanc

e Cy

bers

ecur

ity,

tru

st s

ervi

ces

and

data

pro

tect

ion:

NIS

Dir

ecti

ve i

s tr

ansp

osed

in

Alba

nia

and

Serb

ia w

hils

t th

e ot

her

econ

omie

s ar

e in

the

pr

oces

s of

pre

para

tion

and

/or

in p

ublic

con

sult

atio

n. In

Kos

ovo*

pre

para

tion

of

the

conc

ept

note

I pr

ogre

ss e

xpec

ted

to b

e ap

prov

ed b

y th

e G

over

nmen

t in

aut

umn;

legi

slat

ion

on d

ata

prot

ecti

on a

nd p

irac

y is

gen

eral

ly in

pla

ce a

cros

s W

B6. A

lban

ia,

Koso

vo*,

Mon

tene

gro

and

Serb

ia h

ave

adop

ted

dedi

cate

d cy

bers

ecur

ity

stra

tegi

es w

hile

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

is a

t fin

al s

tage

of

appr

oval

. Ye

t, n

ot e

ven

a un

ifor

m p

rogr

ess

in im

plem

enta

-ti

on o

f th

e st

rate

gies

is a

chie

ved.

Mix

ed p

rogr

ess

in r

egar

d to

the

cri

tica

l IT

inf

rast

ruct

ure

iden

tific

atio

n an

d no

exp

licit

inp

ut o

n th

e le

vel

of p

rote

ctio

n. O

n th

e cu

rren

t st

ate

of i

m-

plem

enta

tion

, Ko

sovo

* al

read

y ad

opte

d th

e la

w o

n cr

itic

al IT

infr

astr

uctu

re,

Alba

nia

com

plet

ed t

he id

enti

ficat

ion

and

appr

oval

is p

endi

ng,

Serb

ia h

as

iden

tifie

d an

d ad

opte

d th

e lis

t of

ICT

syst

ems

to b

e pr

otec

ted,

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

cri

tica

l inf

rast

ruct

ure

oper

ator

rec

ogni

sed

but

no in

tern

al a

gree

men

t on

the

defi

niti

on o

f cr

itic

al IT

infr

astr

uctu

res,

Mon

tene

gro

will

ado

pt t

he D

ecre

e on

mea

sure

s fo

r th

e pr

otec

tion

of

crit

ical

in

form

atio

n in

fras

truc

ture

in

acco

rdan

ce w

ith

the

Amen

dmen

ts t

o th

e La

w o

n in

form

atio

n se

curi

ty in

the

thi

rd q

uart

er o

f th

is y

ear.

All W

B6 h

ave

esta

blis

hed

CSIR

Ts –

tho

ugh

unde

rdev

elop

ed a

nd n

eces

sita

ting

long

er-t

erm

cap

acit

y-bu

ildin

g pr

ogra

mm

es.

RCC

netw

orke

d th

e CS

IRTs

fro

m

the

Wes

tern

Bal

kans

and

ext

ende

d ca

paci

ty b

uild

ing

to t

heir

rep

rese

ntat

ives

. A r

egio

nal C

onfe

renc

e of

CSI

RTs

prop

osed

by

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia is

to

be o

rgan

ised

in O

ctob

er 2

018

duri

ng t

he E

urop

ean

Cybe

rsec

urit

y m

onth

. To

faci

litat

e th

e pa

rtic

ipat

ion

to E

NIS

A w

ork,

com

plia

nt w

ith

the

WB6

Dig

ital

Sum

mit

con

clus

ions

, RC

C ha

s re

cent

ly s

ent

a le

tter

to

ENIS

A Ex

ecut

ive

Dire

ctor

see

king

a p

osit

ive

stan

ding

fro

m E

NIS

A to

par

take

in it

s w

ork/

acti

viti

es.

IV.2

.1.

En-

hanc

e Cy

-be

rsec

urit

y,

trus

t se

rvic

-es

and

dat

a pr

otec

tion

a. E

stab

lish

and

harm

onis

e cy

bers

ecur

ity,

dat

a pr

otec

tion

, an

d pr

ivac

y re

gula

tion

s on

the

bas

is

of a

lev

el p

layi

ng fi

eld

as k

ey f

or e

stab

lishi

ng a

fu

ncti

onin

g an

d effi

cien

t DS

M a

ppro

ach

Cont

inuo

usa.

The

WB6

eco

nom

ies

have

ado

pted

rel

evan

t po

licie

s an

d le

g-is

lati

on f

or p

riva

cy,

data

pro

tect

ion

and

digi

tal

secu

rity

. Th

e N

IS

Dire

ctiv

e is

tra

nspo

sed

in A

lban

ia,

Serb

ia w

hils

t th

e ot

her

econ

o-m

ies

are

in p

roce

ss o

f pr

epar

atio

n an

d/or

in p

ublic

con

sult

atio

n.

Koso

vo*

appr

oved

the

legi

slat

ion

on d

ata

prot

ecti

on a

nd p

irac

y is

ge

nera

lly in

pla

ce a

cros

s W

B6.

Alba

nia,

Kos

ovo*

, M

onte

negr

o an

d Se

rbia

hav

e ad

opte

d de

dica

ted

cybe

rsec

urit

y st

rate

gies

whi

le T

he

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia i

s at

fina

l st

age

of a

p-pr

oval

- y

et,

unif

orm

pro

gres

s in

impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e st

rate

gies

ha

s no

t be

en a

chie

ved.

2.5

b. Id

enti

fy a

nd e

nsur

e pr

otec

tion

of

crit

ical

IT in

-fr

astr

uctu

res

Cont

inuo

us

c. S

et u

p re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

and

info

rmat

ion

ex-

chan

ge p

latf

orm

am

ongs

t W

B6 C

SIRT

s (C

ompu

t-er

Sec

urit

y In

cide

nt R

espo

nse

Team

s),

adva

nce

CSIR

Ts’

capa

citi

es

and

stre

ngth

en

inst

itut

iona

l lin

ks w

ith

EU C

SIRT

s

Cont

inuo

us

d. E

stab

lish

regi

onal

dia

logu

e an

d in

form

atio

n ex

-ch

ange

pla

tfor

m a

mon

gst

auth

orit

ies

in c

harg

e of

N

etw

ork

and

Info

rmat

ion

Secu

rity

(N

IS)

Cont

inuo

us

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.b.

Mix

ed p

rogr

ess

amon

gst

WB6

in r

egar

d to

cri

tica

l IT

infr

astr

uc-

ture

ide

ntifi

cati

on.

Proc

ess

of c

riti

cal

IT i

nfra

stru

ctur

e id

enti

fi-ca

tion

and

the

res

pect

ive

legi

slat

ive

proc

ess

is o

ngoi

ng;

Koso

vo*

alre

ady

adop

ted

the

law

on

crit

ical

IT in

fras

truc

ture

, Al

bani

a ha

s id

enti

fied

and

the

Gov

ernm

ent

Decr

ee a

ppro

val i

s pe

ndin

g, S

erbi

a ha

s id

enti

fied

and

adop

ted

the

list

of IC

T sy

stem

s to

be

prot

ecte

d,

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia -

man

y of

the

cri

tica

l in

fras

truc

ture

ope

rato

rs w

ere

iden

tifie

d, b

ut t

here

is

no o

ffici

al

deci

sion

on

iden

tific

atio

n of

cri

tica

l IT

infr

astr

uctu

re;

Mon

tene

gro

star

ted

the

proc

ess

of i

dent

ifica

tion

and

exp

ects

thi

s to

be

com

-pl

eted

in t

he n

ext

year

s.

No

expl

icit

inpu

t fr

om t

he e

cono

mie

s on

the

leve

l of

prot

ecti

on o

f cr

itic

al IT

infr

astr

uctu

re.

c. A

ll W

B6 h

ave

esta

blis

hed

CSIR

Ts –

tho

ugh

unde

rdev

elop

ed a

nd

nece

ssit

atin

g lo

nger

-ter

m c

apac

ity-

build

ing

prog

ram

mes

. CS

IRTs

fr

om W

B6 h

ave

part

icip

ated

in

diff

eren

t bi

late

ral

or r

egio

nal

even

ts in

the

are

a of

cyb

erse

curi

ty.

d. R

CC n

etw

orke

d th

e CS

IRTs

fro

m t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns a

nd e

x-te

nded

cap

acit

y bu

ildin

g to

the

ir r

epre

sent

ativ

es.

The

disc

us-

sion

in t

his

form

of

CSIR

Ts w

ill c

onti

nue.

A r

egio

nal C

onfe

renc

e of

CS

IRTs

pro

pose

d by

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

is

to

be o

rgan

ised

in

Oct

ober

201

8 du

ring

the

Eur

opea

n Cy

bers

e-cu

rity

mon

th.

The

mai

n pu

rpos

e is

to

gath

er r

epre

sent

ativ

es a

nd

head

s of

all

the

Nat

iona

l CS

IRTs

fro

m t

he r

egio

n (1

0 co

untr

ies,

in

clud

ing

WB6

eco

nom

ies)

.

CSIR

T fr

om T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia h

as s

igne

d m

emor

andu

ms

of u

nder

stan

ding

wit

h th

e CS

IRTs

fro

m K

osov

o* a

nd

Alba

nia.

Cur

rent

ly c

omm

unic

atio

n w

ith

othe

r go

vern

men

t CS

IRTs

fr

om W

B ec

onom

ies

on p

oten

tial

ly s

igni

ng M

oUs.

To f

acili

tate

the

par

tici

pati

on t

o EN

ISA

wor

k, c

ompl

iant

wit

h th

e W

B6 D

igit

al S

umm

it c

oncl

usio

ns,

RCC

has

rece

ntly

sen

t a

lett

er t

o EN

ISA

Exec

utiv

e Di

rect

or e

xplo

ring

pro

spec

ts t

o pa

rtak

e in

EN

ISA

wor

k/ac

tivi

ties

.

70 71


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.IV

.3.

Digi

tal e

cono

my

and

soci

ety,

Incl

usiv

e di

gita

l soc

iety

Dev

elop

and

str

engt

hen

supp

ly o

f di

gita

l ski

lls:

Deve

lop

digi

tal s

kills

is j

oint

ly r

ecog

nise

d by

WB6

and

nee

d to

ups

cale

dig

ital

ski

lls p

rogr

amm

e is

und

er-

lined

. How

ever

, the

pro

gres

s is

une

ven.

The

re a

re a

ttem

pts

to d

evel

op d

igit

al s

kills

pro

gram

mes

. Hen

ce, S

erbi

a is

at

the

final

sta

ge o

f app

rova

l of t

he D

igit

al

Skill

Dev

elop

men

t St

rate

gy,

Koso

vo*

has

unde

rtak

en a

stu

dy o

n di

gita

l ski

lls w

ith

the

supp

ort

of t

he W

orld

Ban

k ai

min

g to

dev

elop

a p

rogr

amm

e fo

cuss

ing

on y

oung

peo

ple.

Som

e of

the

eco

nom

ies

have

inve

sted

eff

orts

in t

rain

ing

and

incr

ease

of

know

ledg

e in

dig

ital

ski

ll fo

r ta

rget

ed g

roup

. In

Kos

ovo*

, as

par

t of

Wom

en O

nlin

e W

ork

(WoW

), w

omen

wer

e ta

rget

ed in

5 m

unic

ipal

itie

s (U

SAID

and

Sw

is In

terc

oope

rati

on s

uppo

rt)

duri

ng t

he la

st y

ear

– th

e pr

ogra

mm

e w

ill b

e ex

tend

ed t

o al

l mun

icip

alit

ies

in t

he u

pcom

ing

5 ye

ars.

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

has

con

duct

ed t

rain

ing

for

basi

c IT

ski

lls a

nd

adva

nced

IT s

kills

for

une

mpl

oyed

peo

ple.

Nat

iona

l Com

preh

ensi

ve E

duca

tion

Str

ateg

y 20

18-2

025

was

ado

pted

in J

anua

ry 2

018,

whe

re o

ne o

f th

e pr

iori

ties

is

ens

urin

g w

ides

prea

d us

e of

ICT

in e

duca

tion

, tr

aini

ng a

nd d

igit

al li

tera

cy a

nd in

Apr

il 20

18,

the

new

Law

on

Mat

hem

atic

s an

d In

form

atio

n G

ymna

sium

w

as a

dopt

ed.

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia s

tim

ulat

ed t

he c

ompa

nies

to

empl

oy p

erso

ns w

ith

disa

bilit

ies

in a

ll m

easu

res

for

empl

oym

ent.

Ad

diti

onal

ly,

Koso

vo*

thro

ugh

IPA

2017

fun

ds –

3 m

ln E

uro

unti

l 202

1 –

will

dev

elop

hum

an c

apac

itie

s fo

r di

gita

l eco

nom

y an

d su

ppor

t fo

r di

gita

l bus

ines

ses.

In

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

tra

inin

gs f

or a

dvan

ced

IT s

kills

und

er IP

A gr

ant

proj

ects

are

ong

oing

and

in S

erbi

a, t

he G

over

nmen

t off

ers

ince

ntiv

es t

o N

GO

s w

ho im

plem

ent

digi

tal s

kills

pro

ject

s fo

r w

omen

– a

s pa

rt o

f th

e IT

Indu

stry

Dev

elop

men

t St

rate

gy. A

ddit

iona

lly,

Gov

ernm

ent

foun

ded

proj

ect

to t

rain

ret

ired

peo

ple

is p

lann

ed d

urin

g th

e fir

st h

alf

of 2

018.

A pr

opos

al o

n di

gita

l sk

ills

and

com

pete

nces

is

prio

riti

sed

wit

hin

the

SEE2

020

Prog

ram

min

g Do

cum

ent

2018

-202

0. A

ddit

iona

lly,

WB6

Dig

ital

Sum

mit

rec

-og

nise

d th

e ne

ed t

o w

ork

on d

igit

al s

kills

pro

gram

mes

and

rea

ffirm

ed t

he in

tere

st o

f W

B6 t

o in

tegr

ate

wit

hin

the

EU D

igit

al S

kills

and

Job

s Co

alit

ion,

by

endo

rsin

g th

e ob

ject

ives

and

pri

ncip

les

of t

he C

oalit

ion

and

othe

r EU

init

iati

ves

in t

he a

rea.

IV.3

.1.

De-

velo

p an

d st

ren

gth

en

supp

ly

of

digi

tal s

kills

a. I

niti

ate

regi

onal

coo

pera

tion

on

cert

ified

re/

qual

ifica

tion

dig

ital

ski

lls p

rogr

amm

es

2018

a. D

evel

op d

igit

al s

kills

is

join

tly

reco

gnis

ed b

y W

B6 a

nd n

eed

to

upsc

ale

digi

tal

skill

s pr

ogra

mm

e is

und

erlin

ed.

How

ever

, th

e pr

o-gr

ess

is u

neve

n. S

erbi

a is

at

the

final

sta

ge o

f app

rova

l of t

he D

igit

al

Skill

Dev

elop

men

t St

rate

gy,

whi

le t

he A

ctio

n Pl

an f

or I

T In

dust

ry

Deve

lopm

ent

prov

ides

for

act

ivit

ies

rela

ted

to h

uman

cap

acit

y de

-ve

lopm

ent.

Kos

ovo*

has

und

erta

ken

a st

udy

on d

igit

al s

kills

wit

h th

e su

ppor

t of

the

Wor

ld B

ank

aim

ing

to d

evel

op a

pro

gram

me

focu

ssin

g on

you

ng p

eopl

e. A

pro

posa

l on

dig

ital

ski

lls a

nd c

om-

pete

nces

is p

rior

itis

ed w

ithi

n th

e SE

E202

0 Pr

ogra

mm

ing

Docu

men

t 20

18-2

020.

Add

itio

nally

, W

B6 D

igit

al S

umm

it r

ecog

nise

d th

e ne

ed

to w

ork

on d

igit

al s

kills

pro

gram

mes

- r

eaffi

rmin

g th

e in

tere

st t

o-w

ards

int

egra

tion

wit

hin

the

EU D

igit

al S

kills

and

Job

s Co

alit

ion,

by

end

orsi

ng t

he o

bjec

tive

s an

d pr

inci

ples

of

the

Coal

itio

n. In

The

Fo

rmer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

, N

atio

nal

Com

preh

ensi

ve

Educ

atio

n St

rate

gy 2

018-

2025

was

ado

pted

in J

anua

ry 2

018,

whe

re

one

of t

he p

rior

itie

s is

to

ensu

re w

ides

prea

d us

e of

ICT

in

educ

a-ti

on, t

rain

ing

and

digi

tal l

iter

acy

in a

ll ar

eas:

pre

-sch

ool e

duca

tion

, pr

imar

y ed

ucat

ion

(gen

eral

), g

ener

al s

econ

dary

edu

cati

on,

voca

-ti

onal

edu

cati

on a

nd t

rain

ings

, un

iver

sity

2

b. P

ilot

a re

gion

al in

terv

enti

on a

imed

at

enha

nc-

ing

basi

c di

gita

l sk

ills

for

citi

zens

to

enga

ge o

n-lin

eCo

ntin

uous

c. P

ilot

a re

gion

al in

terv

enti

on a

imed

at

enha

nc-

ing

skill

s fo

r IT

spe

cial

ists

, th

at w

ould

be

clos

ely

linke

d to

the

dem

and

from

and

coo

rdin

ated

wit

h di

gita

l bus

ines

ses

in W

B6 a

nd E

U;

2018

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

d. S

et u

p an

d im

plem

ent

regi

onal

tra

inin

g an

d em

ploy

abili

ty e

nhan

cem

ent

prog

ram

me

aim

ing

to m

obili

se a

nd u

pski

ll un

/und

erem

ploy

ed p

opu-

lati

on (

wom

en)

to s

eek

reve

nue

gene

rati

on o

p-po

rtun

itie

s th

roug

h on

line

wor

k pl

atfo

rms;

wit

h pa

rtic

ular

em

phas

is o

n yo

uth,

wom

en,

and

peo-

ple

wit

h di

sabi

litie

s

2018

educ

atio

n, r

esea

rch

and

inno

vati

ons,

adu

lt e

duca

tion

, as

wel

l as

te

ache

rs.

The

new

Law

on

Mat

hem

atic

s an

d In

form

atio

n G

ymna

-si

um w

as a

dopt

ed in

Apr

il 20

18.

b. S

ome

of t

he e

cono

mie

s ha

ve i

nves

ted

effor

ts i

n tr

aini

ng a

nd

incr

ease

of

know

ledg

e in

dig

ital

ski

lls f

or t

arge

ted

grou

ps.

In K

o-so

vo*,

as

part

of

Wom

en O

nlin

e W

ork

(WoW

), w

omen

are

tar

gete

d in

5 m

unic

ipal

itie

s (U

SAID

and

Sw

is In

terc

oope

rati

on s

uppo

rt)

dur-

ing

the

last

yea

r an

d tr

aini

ng w

as c

ondu

cted

– t

he p

rogr

amm

e w

ill

be e

xten

ded

to a

ll m

unic

ipal

itie

s in

the

upc

omin

g 5

year

s; S

erbi

a is

at

an a

dvan

ced

stag

e of

pre

pari

ng a

ded

icat

ed D

igit

al S

kills

st

rate

gy;

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia i

s pr

epar

-in

g a

ICT

Stra

tegy

, ha

s co

nduc

ted

trai

ning

for

bas

ic I

T sk

ills

and

adva

nced

IT s

kills

for

une

mpl

oyed

peo

ple.

135

peo

ple

have

bee

n tr

aine

d du

ring

201

7 an

d 30

0 m

ore

is t

arge

ted

for

2018

.

c. I

n Ko

sovo

*, s

uppo

rt f

rom

IPA

201

7 –

3 m

ln E

uro

unti

l 20

21 –

to

dev

elop

hum

an c

apac

itie

s fo

r di

gita

l ec

onom

y an

d su

ppor

t fo

r di

gita

l bus

ines

ses.

In T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia

trai

ning

s fo

r ad

vanc

ed IT

ski

lls u

nder

IPA

gran

t pr

ojec

ts a

re o

ngo-

ing.

d. T

he fi

rst

cent

re in

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

an

d th

e re

gion

, H

ubIT

, un

der

USA

ID S

ocia

l In

clus

ion

Proj

ect

was

op

ened

in S

kopj

e, o

ffer

ing

serv

ices

to

youn

g pe

ople

wit

h di

sabi

li-ti

es a

nd e

nabl

ing

them

to

star

t ca

reer

s in

the

IT

sect

or.

By s

up-

port

ing

this

pro

ject

and

thr

ough

the

ope

rati

onal

pla

n, T

he F

orm

er

Yugo

slav

Rep

ublic

of

Mac

edon

ia s

tim

ulat

ed t

he c

ompa

nies

to

em-

ploy

per

sons

wit

h di

sabi

litie

s in

all

mea

sure

s fo

r em

ploy

men

t. I

n Se

rbia

, th

e G

over

nmen

t off

ers

ince

ntiv

es t

o N

GO

s w

ho im

plem

ent

digi

tal

skill

s pr

ojec

ts f

or w

omen

– a

s pa

rt o

f th

e IT

Ind

ustr

y De

-ve

lopm

ent

Stra

tegy

. Add

itio

nally

, G

over

nmen

t fo

unde

d pr

ojec

t to

tr

ain

reti

red

peop

le is

pla

nned

dur

ing

the

first

hal

f of

201

8.

IV.4

. D

igit

isat

ion,

Dat

a ec

onom

y, S

tand

ards

and

Inte

rope

rabi

lity,

Inno

vati

on

72 73


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.Pr

omot

e up

take

of S

mar

t Tec

hnol

ogie

s an

d Ac

cele

rate

Dig

itis

atio

n: T

he d

iscu

ssio

n on

dig

ital

tra

nsfo

rmat

ion

and

digi

tal e

cono

my

and

soci

ety

is la

unch

ed.

The

WB6

Dig

ital

Sum

mit

org

anis

ed o

n 18

-19

Apri

l 201

8, in

Sko

pje

- th

e fir

st e

ver

orga

nise

d in

thi

s fo

rmat

– r

econ

firm

ed t

he e

xpre

ssed

will

ingn

ess

and

com

-m

itm

ent

of W

B6 t

o w

ork

on a

reg

iona

l dig

ital

age

nda

for

the

bene

fits

of it

s ci

tize

ns a

nd t

he e

cono

my

as a

who

le.

The

conc

lusi

ons

of t

he D

igit

al S

umm

it

reaffi

rmed

the

com

mit

men

t of

WB6

to

wor

k on

: di

gita

l ski

lls,

trus

t an

d se

curi

ty,

digi

tal c

onne

ctiv

ity

and

digi

tal e

cono

my

and

soci

ety.

All W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ar

e m

embe

rs o

f th

e O

pen

Gov

ernm

ent

Part

ners

hip

init

iati

ve,

exce

pt K

osov

o*. A

ll es

tabl

ishe

d fo

rms

of c

entr

al p

orta

ls f

or o

pen

data

al-

thou

gh n

o re

gion

al d

ialo

gue

yet

on h

ow t

his

data

can

be

regi

onal

ly e

xcha

nged

. Di

scus

sion

on

regi

onal

coo

rdin

atio

n on

OPG

can

be

furt

her

exte

nded

wit

hin

the

e-G

over

nmen

t W

orki

ng G

roup

mem

bers

and

ReS

PA in

rel

atio

n to

e-G

over

nmen

t /

Ope

n G

over

nmen

t /

Ope

n Da

ta,

and

e-Pa

rtic

ipat

ion.

All W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve a

dopt

ed e

-aut

hent

icat

ion

fram

ewor

ks a

nd m

ade

prog

ress

in im

prov

ing

thei

r e-a

uthe

ntic

atio

n sc

hem

es. I

n ad

diti

on, W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve d

iffer

ent

leve

l of

harm

onis

atio

n of

dom

esti

c le

gisl

atio

n w

ith

eIDA

S re

gula

tion

, w

ith

Alba

nia,

Ser

bia

and

Mon

tene

gro

havi

ng a

lrea

dy t

rans

pose

d eI

DAS

in n

ew la

ws,

and

in T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia t

he n

ew d

raft

law

is in

the

pro

cess

of

publ

ic c

onsu

ltat

ion.

The

inte

rope

rabi

lity

plat

form

is

fun

ctio

nal i

n Al

bani

a, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia,

rece

ntly

ado

pted

in B

osni

a an

d H

erze

govi

na a

nd t

o a

cert

ain

exte

nt in

Ser

bia

whe

re

e-go

vern

men

t se

rvic

es a

re n

ot y

et d

eplo

yed

on t

he e

-NIF

fra

mew

ork.

E-g

over

nmen

t se

rvic

es a

re g

radu

ally

bei

ng a

ligne

d w

ith

the

Nat

iona

l Int

erop

erab

ility

Fr

amew

orks

.

Acro

ss t

he r

egio

n th

ere

are

seve

ral d

igit

al h

ubs

and

inno

vati

on p

arks

. M

ost

have

bee

n de

velo

ped

wit

h do

nor

fund

ing

(inc

ludi

ng E

U,

the

Wor

ld B

ank,

GIZ

, U

SAID

and

oth

er b

ilate

ral d

onor

s),

priv

ate

sect

or f

undi

ng,

or b

oth.

The

pan

-Eur

opea

n ne

twor

k of

Dig

ital

Inno

vati

on H

ubs

Cata

logu

e Pr

ojec

t lis

ts a

roun

d 20

hu

bs f

rom

the

reg

ion

and

prov

ides

opp

ortu

niti

es f

or c

oope

rati

on, a

s do

Hor

izon

202

0 an

d EU

Ter

rito

rial

and

Cro

ss-b

orde

r Pr

ogra

mm

es. T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of M

aced

onia

has

a F

und

for

Inno

vati

on a

nd T

echn

olog

y De

velo

pmen

t fo

r su

ppor

ting

inno

vati

ve p

roje

cts;

Fea

sibi

lity

stud

y fo

r es

tabl

ishm

ent

of S

ci-

ence

and

Tec

hnol

ogy

Park

in T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia h

as s

tart

ed –

to

be fi

nanc

ed u

nder

the

Eur

opea

n U

nion

Inte

grat

ion

Faci

lity

(EU

IF)

tool

, ava

ilabl

e un

der

IPA

II 20

14-2

020.

Add

itio

nally

, the

pro

ject

inno

vati

on e

cosy

stem

in t

he c

ross

-bor

der

area

(CBC

Inno

v8) a

s pa

rt o

f the

IPA

2 Cr

oss-

Bord

er

Prog

ram

me

betw

een

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia a

nd A

lban

ia o

ffici

ally

sta

rted

in J

anua

ry 2

018

and

will

last

28

mon

ths.

Mor

eove

r, Se

rbia

al

so h

as a

n in

nova

tion

fun

d w

hile

oth

er e

cono

mie

s ha

ve s

tart

ed in

trod

ucin

g di

ffer

ent

inno

vati

on v

ouch

er s

chem

es o

n a

smal

ler

scal

e.

IV

.4

.1

. P

ro

mo

te

upta

ke

of

Smar

t Te

ch-

nolo

gies

and

A

cce

lera

te

Dig

itis

atio

n

a. S

et u

p re

gion

al c

oope

rati

ve d

ialo

gue

on d

igit

al

tran

sfor

mat

ion

chal

leng

es a

nd p

rosp

ects

in W

B

i. A

sses

s th

e st

ate

of p

lay

of t

he b

usin

ess

envi

-ro

nmen

t an

d th

e m

ulti

-fac

eted

ben

efits

an

ac-

cele

rate

d an

d re

gion

al D

igit

al T

rans

form

atio

n w

ould

cre

ate

in t

he W

este

rn B

alka

ns

2017

a. T

he in

dust

ry-l

ed s

tudy

The

Impa

ct o

f Di

gita

l Tra

nsfo

rmat

ion

on

the

Wes

tern

Bal

kans

– T

ackl

ing

the

Chal

leng

es t

owar

ds P

olit

ical

St

abili

ty a

nd E

cono

mic

Pro

sper

ity

alon

g w

ith

the

polic

y br

ief

is fi

-na

lised

and

pre

sent

ed d

urin

g th

e W

B6 D

igit

al S

umm

it.

Disc

ussi

ons

on t

he e

xten

t to

whi

ch t

he r

ecom

men

dati

ons

will

be

tran

slat

ed

in d

omes

tic

polic

ies

or r

egio

nal

acti

ons

shou

ld b

e di

scus

sed

in

regi

onal

mec

hani

sms.

The

WB6

Dig

ital

Sum

mit

org

anis

ed o

n 18

-19

Apri

l 20

18,

in S

kopj

e -

the

first

eve

r or

gani

sed

in t

his

form

at –

rec

onfir

med

the

ex-

pres

sed

will

ingn

ess

and

com

mit

men

t of

WB6

to

wor

k on

a r

egio

nal

digi

tal

agen

da f

or t

he b

enefi

ts o

f it

s ci

tize

ns a

nd t

he e

cono

my

as a

who

le.

The

conc

lusi

ons

of t

he D

igit

al S

umm

it r

eaffi

rmed

the

co

mm

itm

ent

of W

B6 t

o w

ork

on:

digi

tal

skill

s, t

rust

and

sec

urit

y,

digi

tal c

onne

ctiv

ity

and

digi

tal e

cono

my

and

soci

ety.

2.85

Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.ii.

Org

anis

e an

nual

reg

iona

l W

B6 D

igit

al S

um-

mit

s so

as

to c

ontr

ibut

e to

a c

onti

nuou

s di

a-lo

gue

amon

gst

WB6

aut

hori

ties

, no

n-go

vern

-m

enta

l or

gani

sati

ons,

co

mpa

nies

, ch

ambe

rs,

and

acad

emia

2018

-on-

war

ds

b. W

ith

resp

ect

to D

ata

Econ

omy,

exc

ept

for

Koso

vo*,

all

WB6

ec

onom

ies

are

mem

bers

of

the

Ope

n G

over

nmen

t Pa

rtne

rshi

p in

itia

tive

. Al

lWB6

eco

nom

ies

have

est

ablis

hed

form

s of

cen

tral

po

rtal

s fo

r op

en d

ata.

No

regi

onal

dia

logu

e ye

t on

how

thi

s da

ta

can

be r

egio

nally

exc

hang

ed –

The

For

mer

Yug

osla

v Re

publ

ic o

f M

aced

onia

upg

rade

d ce

ntra

l op

en d

ata

port

al w

hich

can

be

har-

vest

able

by

cent

ral E

urop

e op

en d

ata

port

al a

nd m

ay b

e av

aila

ble

for

any

inte

rest

ed W

B6 e

cono

my.

Disc

ussi

on o

n re

gion

al c

oord

inat

ion

on O

PG s

houl

d be

fur

ther

st

irre

d at

reg

iona

l m

echa

nism

. RE

SPA

laun

ched

the

E-

to O

pen

Gov

ernm

ent

- Re

gion

al C

ompa

rati

ve A

naly

sis

Repo

rt in

201

6 -

the

e-G

over

nmen

t W

orki

ng G

roup

mem

bers

and

ReS

PA s

taff

dis

cuss

ed

and

join

tly

form

ulat

ed f

utur

e Re

SPA

acti

viti

es,

incl

udin

g e-

Gov

-er

nmen

t /

Ope

n G

over

nmen

t /

Ope

n Da

ta,

and

e-Pa

rtic

ipat

ion.

c. A

ll W

B6 e

cono

mie

s ha

ve a

dopt

ed e

-aut

hent

icat

ion

fram

ewor

ks

and

mad

e pr

ogre

ss i

n im

prov

ing

thei

r e-

auth

enti

cati

on s

chem

es.

In a

ddit

ion,

WB6

eco

nom

ies

have

diff

eren

t le

vel o

f ha

rmon

isat

ion

of t

heir

legi

slat

ion

wit

h eI

DAS

regu

lati

on, w

ith

Alba

nia,

Ser

bia

and

Mon

tene

gro

havi

ng a

lrea

dy t

rans

pose

d eI

DAS

in n

ew l

aws,

and

in

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia t

he n

ew d

raft

law

is

in t

he p

roce

ss o

f pu

blic

con

sult

atio

n. T

he i

nter

oper

abili

ty p

lat-

form

is

func

tion

al i

n Al

bani

a, T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia,

rece

ntly

ado

pted

in

Bosn

ia a

nd H

erze

govi

na a

nd t

o a

cert

ain

exte

nt i

n Se

rbia

whe

re e

-gov

ernm

ent

serv

ices

are

not

ye

t de

ploy

ed o

n th

e e-

NIF

fra

mew

ork.

E-g

over

nmen

t se

rvic

es a

re

grad

ually

bei

ng a

ligne

d w

ith

the

Nat

iona

l Int

erop

erab

ility

Fra

me-

wor

ks.

d. A

cros

s th

e re

gion

the

re a

re s

ever

al d

igit

al h

ubs

and

inno

va-

tion

par

ks.

Mos

t ha

ve b

een

deve

lope

d w

ith

dono

r fu

ndin

g (G

IZ,

USA

ID,

EU,

the

Wor

ld B

ank,

bila

tera

l do

nors

and

pri

vate

sec

tor

com

pani

es).

The

pan

-Eur

opea

n ne

twor

k of

Dig

ital

Inno

vati

on H

ubs

Cata

logu

e Pr

ojec

t lis

ts a

roun

d 20

hub

s fr

om t

he r

egio

n an

d pr

o-vi

des

oppo

rtun

itie

s fo

r co

oper

atio

n, a

s do

Hor

izon

202

0 an

d EU

Te

rrit

oria

l and

Cro

ss-b

orde

r Pr

ogra

mm

es.

b. F

oste

r Da

ta e

cono

my

(Big

Dat

a, O

pen

Data

and

O

pen

Gov

ernm

ent)

:

i. S

uppo

rt a

n op

en d

ata

regi

on a

nd i

mpr

ove

qual

ity

of o

pen

data

por

tals

thr

ough

reg

iona

l co

oper

atio

n an

d be

st p

ract

ice

exch

ange

Cont

inuo

us

ii. S

tren

gthe

n re

gion

al c

oord

inat

ion

on u

se,

ex-

chan

ge a

nd s

afe

and

relia

ble

flow

, ac

cess

and

tr

ansf

er o

f da

ta a

nd i

nteg

rati

on w

ithi

n th

e Eu

-ro

pean

dat

a ec

osys

tem

and

eco

nom

y

Cont

inuo

us

c. A

lign

stan

dard

s, c

ompl

emen

t in

tero

pera

bilit

y fr

amew

orks

and

int

rodu

ce a

pan

-Eur

opea

n di

-m

ensi

on,

in li

ne w

ith

EIF:

i. C

oord

inat

e re

gion

al a

ctiv

itie

s on

int

erop

er-

abili

ty s

tand

ards

and

fac

ilita

te d

evel

opm

ent

of

stan

dard

s an

d in

tero

pera

bilit

y in

itia

tive

s

Cont

inuo

us

d. F

oste

r co

oper

atio

n am

ongs

t di

gita

l hub

s:

e. i

. Fa

cilit

ate

Busi

ness

Inv

estm

ents

in

rese

arch

an

d In

nova

tion

and

in t

he C

reat

ion

of S

tart

-Ups

Cont

inuo

us

74 75


Obj

ecti

ves

Acti

ons

Tim

elin

eSt

ate

of p

lay

at r

egio

nal l

evel

Scor

.

ii. P

ilot

regi

onal

coo

pera

tion

(“t

win

ning

”) i

ni-

tiat

ives

am

ongs

t te

chno

logy

/inn

ovat

ion

park

s an

d as

sess

dem

and

and

pros

pect

s fo

r es

tabl

ish-

men

t of

reg

iona

l dig

ital

Inno

vati

on h

ubs.

2018

-on-

war

ds

The

mos

t ad

vanc

ed a

mon

gst

WB6

– T

he F

orm

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

b-lic

of

Mac

edon

ia -

ha

s a

Fund

for

Inn

ovat

ions

and

Tec

hnol

ogy

Deve

lopm

ent

for

supp

orti

ng in

nova

tive

pro

ject

s; F

easi

bilit

y st

udy

for

esta

blis

hmen

t of

Sci

ence

and

Tec

hnol

ogy

Park

in

The

Form

er

Yugo

slav

Rep

ublic

of

Mac

edon

ia h

as s

tart

ed –

to

be fi

nanc

ed u

nder

th

e Eu

rope

an U

nion

Inte

grat

ion

Faci

lity

(EU

IF)

tool

, av

aila

ble

un-

der

IPA

II 20

14-2

020.

Addi

tion

ally

, the

pro

ject

inno

vati

on e

cosy

stem

in t

he c

ross

-bor

der

area

(CB

C In

nov8

) as

par

t of

the

IPA

2 C

ross

-Bor

der

Prog

ram

me

betw

een

The

Form

er Y

ugos

lav

Repu

blic

of

Mac

edon

ia a

nd A

lban

ia

offici

ally

sta

rted

in

Janu

ary

2018

and

will

las

t 28

mon

ths.

The

Fu

nd is

in p

artn

ersh

ip w

ith

Euro

part

ners

Dev

elop

men

t fr

om A

lba-

nia

(Lea

d Pa

rtne

r),

Nat

iona

l Ce

nter

for

Inn

ovat

ion

and

Entr

epre

-ne

uria

l Le

arni

ng D

evel

opm

ent

(NCR

IPU

) fr

om T

he F

orm

er Y

ugo-

slav

Rep

ublic

of

Mac

edon

ia a

nd A

genc

y fo

r Re

sear

ch,

Tech

nolo

gy

and

Inno

vati

on f

rom

Alb

ania

(AR

Ti).

To b

e de

velo

ped

at a

late

r st

age

Secu

ring

the

hum

an a

nd fi

nanc

ial r

esou

rces

nee

ded

for

the

impl

emen

tati

on o

f th

e Ac

tion

Pla

na.

Pre

pare

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x

Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat

Trg Bosne i Hercegovine 1/V71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

T +387 33 561 700 F +387 33 561 701 E [email protected]

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RegionalCooperationCouncil

Annual Report onImplementation of theMulti-Annual Action Planfor a Regional Economic Areain Western Balkan Six

annual report on implementation of the multi-annual action ......june 2018 5. 6 7 annual report on...

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